STRUCTURAL FEATURES AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF PLLA/PEARL POWDER SCAFFOLDS

2013

In order to improve the mechanical properties of scaffolds for bone tissue engineering, the present study aims to bring calcium carbonate (CaCO3) with signaling molecules, namely pearl powder, into poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA). PLLA/aragonite and PLLA/vaterite scaffolds were successfully fabricated by the freeze-drying method. Both composite scaffolds had a similar porous structure but a different saturated content of pearl powders. For both scaffolds, the porosity decreases and yield strength increases as pearl powder content increases. Introducing pearl powders into PLLA can improve the mechanical properties of the scaffolds. The porous structure plays a crucial role in the yield strength …