Printed polylactic acid/akermanite composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering; development and surface modification

The susceptibility of bone tissues to various factors such as ageing, accidents, and diseases has led to extensive tissue engineering research focusing on bone tissues. Hence, this research also aims to determine the optimal amount of Akermanite (AK) addition to the polylactic acid scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications, as well as the effects of surface modification on its properties. The Akermanite was synthesized using the sol-gel method. Then, composite scaffolds of polylactic acid, including 0, 10, 20, and 30 wt% AK, were printed via the fused deposition modelling (FDM) process. These scaffolds were labelled as PLA, 10 wt% AK, 20 wt% AK, and 30 wt% AK, respectively. The X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the production of the AK high-purity phase. Cell viability tests on composite scaffolds confirmed non-toxicity, and cell adhesion improved with AK addition. Mechanical testing showed that the compressive strength of composite scaffolds increased by increasing the AK content of the composite. This study recommended the 20 wt% AK scaffold as the optimal composition for bone tissue engineering. The surface-modification of polylactic acid/AK composite scaffolds using sodium hydroxide showed that it can be suitable for advanced tissue structures and medical applications, contributing to advancements in tissue engineering and medical technology for improved bone treatments.