6533b7ddfe1ef96bd12750c3

RESEARCH PRODUCT

STRUCTURAL FEATURES AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF PLLA/PEARL POWDER SCAFFOLDS

Y. S. LiuN. M. HuQ. L. FengO. AlbertQ. L. Huang

subject

Materials scienceComposite numberBiomedical Engineeringengineering.materialeye diseasesBone tissue engineeringchemistry.chemical_compoundCalcium carbonatechemistryChemical engineeringVateriteengineeringComposite scaffoldPorosityPearl

description

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 of pure PLLA scaffolds, whereas the yield strength of PLLA/pearl powder scaffolds mostly relies on pearl powder content.

https://doi.org/10.1142/s0219519413500206