Ultra-porous titanium oxide scaffold with high compressive strength

J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2010 Oct;21(10):2783-92. doi: 10.1007/s10856-010-4142-1. Epub 2010 Aug 14.

Abstract

Highly porous and well interconnected titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) scaffolds with compressive strength above 2.5 MPa were fabricated without compromising the desired pore architectural characteristics, such as high porosity, appropriate pore size, surface-to-volume ratio, and interconnectivity. Processing parameters and pore architectural characteristics were investigated in order to identify the key processing steps and morphological properties that contributed to the enhanced strength of the scaffolds. Cleaning of the TiO(2) raw powder removed phosphates but introduced sodium into the powder, which was suggested to decrease the slurry stability. Strong correlation was found between compressive strength and both replication times and solid content in the ceramic slurry. Increase in the solid content resulted in more favourable sponge loading, which was achieved due to the more suitable rheological properties of the ceramic slurry. Repeated replication process induced only negligible changes in the pore architectural parameters indicating a reduced flaw size in the scaffold struts. The fabricated TiO(2) scaffolds show great promise as load-bearing bone scaffolds for applications where moderate mechanical support is required.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Bone Regeneration
  • Ceramics
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible / chemistry
  • Compressive Strength
  • Materials Testing
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Osteogenesis
  • Photoelectron Spectroscopy
  • Porosity
  • Tissue Engineering
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry*
  • Titanium / chemistry*
  • X-Ray Microtomography

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible
  • titanium dioxide
  • Titanium