Nanostructured 3D bioprinting of PLA with bioglass-CNT scaffolds for osseus tissue graft manufacturing

Abstract

Bone involvement promoted by aging and accidents has raised interest in biomaterials and biofabrication technologies for bone regeneration purposes. Thus, 3D printing technology has gained prominence in the production of scaffolds due to its versatility in producing complex geometries with interconnected pores. In this work, composite scaffolds of poly (lactic acid) (PLA), bioglass (BG) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) were produced by 3D printing, using hexagonal, honeycomb-like geometry interspersed. The samples were analyzed in terms of chemical structure, crystallinity and morphology using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The thermal stability of the composite was evaluated by thermogravimetry and the mechanical properties by compression tests. The cell viability was determined by Alamar Blue. The results that raman spectroscopy confirmed the interaction of BG in the polymer matrix by new peaks in the spectrum between 1400 and 2600 cm−1 and the presence of the D, G and 2D bands of the CNTs. In terms of compressive strength, PLA scaffolds with 2 mm inner spacing demonstrated higher compressive strength of 14.88 ± 2.35 MPa, while PLA/CNT higher apparent compressive modulus of 0.58 ± 0.36 GPa. In cell viability, statistical tests showed that there was no significant difference between scaffolds with 2 and 4 mm inner spacing.

Keywords

• PLA
• Bioglass
• Carbon nanotubes and 3D printing