Preparation and Properties of Iron Nanoparticle-Based Macroporous Scaffolds for Biodegradable Implants

Materials (Basel). 2022 Jul 14;15(14):4900. doi: 10.3390/ma15144900.

Abstract

Fe-based scaffolds are of particular interest in the technology of biodegradable implants due to their high mechanical properties and biocompatibility. In the present work, using an electroexplosive Fe nanopowder and NaCl particles 100-200 µm in size as a porogen, scaffolds with a porosity of about 70 ± 0.8% were obtained. The effect of the sintering temperature on the structure, composition, and mechanical characteristics of the scaffolds was considered. The optimum parameters of the sintering process were determined, allowing us to obtain samples characterized by plastic deformation and a yield strength of up to 16.2 MPa. The degradation of the scaffolds sintered at 1000 and 1100 °C in 0.9 wt.% NaCl solution for 28 days resulted in a decrease in their strength by 23% and 17%, respectively.

Keywords: Fe nanopowder; degradation; scaffold; sintering; strength.