Structure and properties of nano-hydroxypatite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering with a selective laser sintering system

Nanotechnology. 2011 Jul 15;22(28):285703. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/22/28/285703. Epub 2011 Jun 6.

Abstract

In this study, nano-hydroxypatite (n-HAP) bone scaffolds are prepared by a homemade selective laser sintering (SLS) system based on rapid prototyping (RP) technology. The SLS system consists of a precise three-axis motion platform and a laser with its optical focusing device. The implementation of arbitrary complex movements based on the non-uniform rational B-Spline (NURBS) theory is realized in this system. The effects of the sintering processing parameters on the microstructure of n-HAP are tested with x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The particles of n-HAP grow gradually and tend to become spherical-like from the initial needle-like shape, but still maintain a nanoscale structure at scanning speeds between 200 and 300 mm min(-1) when the laser power is 50 W, the light spot diameter 4 mm, and the layer thickness 0.3 mm. In addition, these changes do not result in decomposition of the n-HAP during the sintering process. The results suggest that the newly developed n-HAP scaffolds have the potential to serve as an excellent substrate in bone tissue engineering.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bone and Bones / physiology*
  • Crystallization
  • Durapatite / chemistry*
  • Lasers*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • Surface Properties
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry*
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Durapatite