Effect of akermanite powders on mechanical properties and bioactivity of chitosan-based scaffolds produced by 3D-bioprinting

Abstract This study reports on microstructural, mechanical, and bioactive properties of the chitosan based composite scaffolds reinforced by akermanite. Firstly, the synthesis of akermanite powders was investigated by three different methods as sol-gel, ball-milling, and spray drying, with additional heat treatments. The morphological and microstructural characterizations revealed that the akermanite powders with the homogeneous and narrow particle size distributions were successfully obtained by spray drying and following heat treatment methods. Secondly, the chitosan/akermanite composite scaffolds were produced by the combination of 3D-bioprinting and lyophilization methods. SEM analyses of produced composite scaffolds indicated the interconnected and open-pore structures. The mechanical test results showed that the increasing akermanite addition enhanced the strength of composite scaffolds significantly. The bioactivity test results presented that the composite scaffolds had good in vitro bioactivity based on their good apatite-formation abilities on their surfaces and in simulated body fluid. According to the results, the bioactive 3D-printed scaffold with improved mechanical properties promises the good potential for bone tissue engineering applications.