Preparation and characterization of plla composite scaffolds by ScCO 2 ‐induced phase separation

Composite Scaffolds have received much attention in the tissue engineering, and how to choose the materials has become the research focus in this field. Supercritical CO 2 (ScCO 2 )‐induced phase separation process was employed to prepare porous poly‐ L ‐lactide (PLLA) composite scaffolds. An experiment system was set up for the purpose of investigating the effects of such parameters as the mass ratios of PLLA to polyethylene glycol (PEG) and PLLA to β‐TCP on porosity and compressive strength of composite scaffolds. The obtained composite scaffolds were characterized in many ways. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the morphology and pore size; porosity was analyzed by pycnometer; and the compressive strength was recorded by texture analyzer. The results indicated that the porosity was increased with the addition of PEG, and the highest porosity of PLLA/PEG composite scaffolds was 92% with the mass ratio of PLLA to PEG of 1:0.05; the compressive strength was increased with the addition of β‐TCP, and the highest compressive strength of PLLA/β‐TCP composite scaffolds was 1.76 MPa with the mass ratio of PLLA to β‐TCP of 1:0.1. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers