Abstract
Titanium dioxide (TiO2)-Biosilicate® scaffolds were produced and evaluated for porosity and microstructure. Scaffolds for bone regeneration must provide adequate porosity to promote bone tissue growth through the material. TiO2 is a highly biocompatible ceramic material with high reliable mechanical and good osteoconductive properties to allow bone tissue migrates on material interface, but without stimulating the activity of osteogenic cells that produce bone tissue. In order to induce bone tissue formation a material with high bioactivity named Biosilicate® was incorporated into the ceramic matrix of TiO2. To obtain macropores, organic particles in the ceramic matrix as pore forming agents were employed, using the sacrificial template method which has the advantage to adapt the final ceramic pores characteristics by appropriate choice of pore former agent. In this work, a homogeneous mixture of TiO2 with sawdust was prepared and later the Biosilicate® was added. After firing, the samples were evaluated by Archimedes method for determining porosity and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for imaging grain morphology, and pore size and distribution. The firing stage ensured complete elimination of pore forming agents and complete sintering of TiO2. The Biosilicate® facilitated sintering of TiO2 and consolidation of ceramic matrix. Scaffolds were obtained with 63% apparent porosity and pore size higher than 200 µm., Homogeneous pores distribution and their interconnections were observed by SEM analysis. Moreover, it was possible to observe Biosilicate® distribution among TiO2 particles being a path for bone tissue growth and regeneration.
Keywords:
TiO2; sawdust; porosity; pore former; biomaterial
