Scaffold of Bone Tissue Engineering Based on PVA/BCP Bioactive Composite Foam

Abstract

This study constructed poly (vinyl alcohol)/ biphasic-calcium phosphate (PVA/ BCP) composite scaffolds. The biphasic-calcium phosphate (BCP) was incorporated in 0, 5, 10, and 25 wt%; BP0, BP1, BP2, and BP3, respectively. The surface morphology was done with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to observe the porosity and the pore size and distribution of fabricated samples. The Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and some physical properties such as porosity, density, swelling ratio, flexural strength, impact strength, and compression strength were also investigated. The biodegradation and bioactivity were also tested. The SEM results showed that the pores increased and became more regular and interconnected to each other with the increasing addition of BCP. The density decreased with the addition of BCP, while the porosity and mechanical properties increased with additives. The sample of BP3 has a high porosity (67%) and high impact strength (11.9 MPa). The high porosity is favorable for bone implants, and the mechanical strength must also be considered. The bio tests show that the biodegradation became regular by adding the BCP powder, which leads to ease of controlling the gradual degradation and the samples are bioactive for bone tissue. Keywords: Bone Tissue Engineering, PVA, Biphasic-Calcium Phosphate, Porosity, Mechanical properties