Premium
Fabrication of β‐tricalcium phosphate composite ceramic scaffolds based on spheres prepared by extrusion‐spheronization
Author(s) -
He Fupo,
Tian Ye,
Fang Xibo,
Lu Teliang,
Li Jiyan,
Shi Xuetao,
Wu Shanghua,
Zuo Fei,
Ye Jiandong
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of the american ceramic society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 196
eISSN - 1551-2916
pISSN - 0002-7820
DOI - 10.1111/jace.15819
Subject(s) - materials science , composite number , extrusion , fabrication , microcrystalline cellulose , sintering , composite material , ceramic , spheres , bioceramic , porosity , chemical engineering , cellulose , medicine , alternative medicine , physics , pathology , astronomy , engineering
In this study, β‐tricalcium phosphate/phosphate‐based glass (β‐TCP/PG) composite spheres were prepared by an extrusion‐spheronization method featuring high production and fine control of sphere size. Subsequently, fully interconnected β‐TCP composite ceramic sphere‐based (TCCS) scaffolds were fabricated by sintering the randomly packed β‐TCP/PG composite spheres. The results manifested that at least 20% microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was required to obtain β‐TCP/PG composite spheres in good spherical shape. The prepared TCCS scaffolds showed hierarchical pore architecture, which consisted of interconnected macropores among the spheres, a hollow core in the sphere, plentiful medium‐sized pores in the sphere shell and micropores among the grains. The pore architecture and mechanical strength of the TCCS scaffolds could be tailored by adjusting the sintering temperature, sphere size, and amounts of PG and MCC in the β‐TCP/PG composite spheres. This work is believed to open up new paths for the design and fabrication of interconnected bioceramic scaffolds for application in bone regeneration.