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A novel strategy was employed to synthesize highly porous wollastonite-hydroxycarbonate apatite ceramic scaffolds for bone regeneration. A commercial liquid preceramic polymer filled with micro-CaCO3 powders was foamed at low temperature (at 350 °C), using the decomposition of a hydrazine additive, and then converted into ceramic by a treatment at 700 °C. Hydroxycarbonate apatite was later developed by a phosphatization treatment of ceramized foams, in a P-rich solution, while wollastonite was obtained by a second firing, at 900 °C. The effectiveness of the method was proven by x-ray diffraction analysis, showing the presence of the two expected crystalline phases. Porosity, interconnect size distribution and mechanical strength were in the range that is thought to be suitable for bone regeneration in non-load bearing sites (compressive strength ≈ 3 MPa, porosity ≈ 90%, modal interconnect diameter ≈ 130-160 μm). In addition, bioactivity and ion release rate were assessed in simulated body fluid (SBF). MC3T3 osteoblast precursor cells were able to colonize the material in vitro through the pore architecture and expressed osteogenic markers.

Original publication

DOI

10.1088/1748-6041/11/2/025016

Type

Journal article

Journal

Biomed Mater

Publication Date

12/04/2016

Volume

11

Keywords

3T3 Cells, Animals, Apatites, Biocompatible Materials, Bone Regeneration, Calcium Compounds, Carbonates, Ceramics, Compressive Strength, Culture Media, Materials Testing, Mice, Osteoblasts, Polymers, Porosity, Silicates, Tissue Engineering, Tissue Scaffolds