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Cited by 151Bone Tissue Engineering Materials3D Printing in Biomedical ResearchAdditive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies

3D printing PCL/nHA bone scaffolds: exploring the influence of material synthesis techniques

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Zimmerling, Amanda, Yazdanpanah, Zahra, Cooper, David M. L., Johnston, James D., Chen, Xiongbiao·2021·Biomaterials Research
DOI 10.1186/s40824-021-00204-yPMC PMC7836567
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Abstract

Background: It is known that a number of parameters can influence the post-printing properties of bone tissue scaffolds. Previous research has primarily focused on the effect of parameters associated with scaffold design (e.g., scaffold porosity) and specific scaffold printing processes (e.g., printing pressure). To our knowledge, no studies have investigated variations in post-printing properties attributed to the techniques used to synthesize the materials for printing (e.g., melt-blending, powder blending, liquid solvent, and solid solvent). Methods: Four material preparation techniques were investigated to determine their influence on scaffold properties. Polycaprolactone/nano-hydroxyapatite 30% (wt.) materials were synthesized through melt-blending, powder blending, liquid solvent, and solid solvent techniques. The material printability and the properties of printed scaffolds, in terms of swelling/degradation, mechanical strength, morphology, and thermal properties, were examined and compared to one another using Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric statistical analysis. Results: Material prepared through the liquid solvent technique was found to have limited printability, while melt-blended material demonstrated the highest degree of uniformity and lowest extent of swelling and degradation. Scaffolds prepared with powder-blended material demonstrated the highest Young’s modulus, yield strength, and modulus of resilience; however, they also demonstrated the highest degree of variability. The higher degree of inhomogeneity in the material was further supported by thermal gravimetric analysis. While scaffolds printed from melt-blended, powder-blended, and solid solvent materials demonstrated a high degree of micro-porosity, the liquid solvent material preparation technique resulted in minimal micro-porosity. Conclusions: Study results indicate that specific techniques used to prepare materials influence the printing process and post-printing scaffold properties. Among the four techniques examined, melt-blended materials were found to be the most favorable, specifically when considering the combination of printability, consistent mechanical properties, and efficient preparation. Techniques determined to be favourable based on the properties investigated should undergo further studies related to biological properties and time-dependent properties beyond 21-days.

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  • PCL-based films effectively serve as physical barriers, preventing the adhesion of healing tissues and reducing the risk of fibrotic scarring following surgical procedures.

    “PCL-based films effectively serve as physical barriers, preventing the adhesion of healing tissues and reducing the risk of fibrotic scarring following surgical procedures [193].”

    From Biomaterials in Postoperative Adhesion Barriers and Uterine Tissue Engineering (2025) · cites this paper as [193]

    The Background (page unavailable) discusses PCL/nHA scaffolds for bone tissue engineering and notes that PCL’s hydrophobicity decreases cell adhesion when implanted. The Discussion (page unavailable) addresses scaffold properties, not surgical barrier films. Searches for postoperative adhesions, physical barriers, and fibrotic scarring found no passage addressing the claimed use or outcome. (LLM, conf=0.76)

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Sorted by citations

Authors
Zimmerling, A., Yazdanpanah, Z., Cooper, D. M. L., Johnston, J. D., & Chen, X.
Affiliations
  • University of Saskatchewan (CA)
  • Division of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
Corresponding author
Zimmerling, Amanda
ORCID
Venue
Biomaterials Research
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Published
2021-01-26
Volume
25
Issue
1
Pages
3-3
ISSN
  • 1226-4601 (ISSN-L)
  • 2055-7124
DOI
10.1186/s40824-021-00204-y
PMC
PMC7836567
OpenAlex
W3125039275
Cited by
151
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 31 · 2023: 33 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 17
FWCI
8.06
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Biomaterials Research (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (Undergraduate Student Research Award)
  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (Discovery Grant)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Bone Tissue Engineering Materials
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › 3D Printing in Biomedical Research
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Automotive Engineering › Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies
Keywords
polycaprolactone, hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, bone scaffolds, 3D printing, melt blending, powder mixing, printability, swelling and degradation, mechanical properties, porosity, thermal properties

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