De Vega, Brigita;
Dutta, Abir;
Mumtaz, Aisha;
Schroeder, Bob C;
Gerrand, Craig;
Boyd, Ashleigh S;
Kalaskar, Deepak M;
(2025)
Comparative analysis of solvent-based and solvent-free (melting) methods for fabricating 3D-printed polycaprolactone-hydroxyapatite composite bone scaffolds: physicochemical/mechanical analyses and in vitro cytocompatibility.
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
, 12
, Article 1473777. 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1473777.
Preview |
Text
Comparative analysis of solvent-based and solvent-free (melting) methods for fabricating 3D-printed polycaprolactone-hydroxy.pdf - Published Version Download (4MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Purpose: The study conducts a comparative analysis between two prominent methods for fabricating composites for bone scaffolds—the (solid) solvent method and the solvent-free (melting) method. While previous research has explored these methods individually, this study provides a direct comparison of their outcomes in terms of physicochemical properties, cytocompatibility, and mechanical strength. We also analyse their workflow and scalability potentials. // Design/methodology/approach: Polycaprolactone (PCL) and hydroxyapatite (HA) composites were prepared using solvent (chloroform) and melting (180°C) methods, then 3D-printed using an extrusion-based 3D printer to fabricate scaffolds (8 × 8 × 4 mm). Rheology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), accelerated degradation, mechanical/compression test, wettability/contact angle, live/dead assay, and DNA quantification (Picogreen) assays were evaluated. // Findings: The study finds that scaffolds made via the solid solvent method have higher mechanical strength and degradation rate as compared to those from the melting method, while both methods ensure adequate cytocompatibility and homogenous hydroxyapatite distribution, supporting their use in bone tissue engineering. // Originality: This research investigates the utility of chloroform as a solvent for PCL composite in a direct comparison with the melting method. It also highlights the differences in workflows between the two methods and their scalability implications, emphasizing the importance of considering workflow efficiency and the potential for automation in scaffold fabrication processes for bone tissue engineering applications.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Comparative analysis of solvent-based and solvent-free (melting) methods for fabricating 3D-printed polycaprolactone-hydroxyapatite composite bone scaffolds: physicochemical/mechanical analyses and in vitro cytocompatibility |
| Location: | Switzerland |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1473777 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2024.1473777 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © 2025 De Vega, Dutta, Mumtaz, Schroeder, Gerrand, Boyd and Kalaskar. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY),https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. |
| Keywords: | Composite, bone scaffold, 3D printing, additive manufacturing, polycaprolactone, hydroxyapatite |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Div of Surgery and Interventional Sci UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Chemistry UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Div of Surgery and Interventional Sci > Department of Ortho and MSK Science UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Div of Surgery and Interventional Sci > Department of Surgical Biotechnology |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10206036 |
Loading...
Loading...Loading...Loading...Archive Staff Only
 |
View Item |
