Porous structure engineering of bioceramic hydroxyapatite-based scaffolds using PVA, PVP, and PEO as polymeric porogens

ABSTRACT Nanobioceramic hydroxyapatite (HAp) was synthesized from golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) shell and used to fabricate HAp-based scaffolds with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyethylene oxide (PEO), or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the porogen agent. The porogen was removed during the HAp sintering process. The SEM results showed increased agglomeration of HAp particles with increases in concentration of polymeric porogen used in the scaffold fabrication process. The XRD pattern showed the scaffolds to be HAp/β-TCP composites. Thermal analysis of the porogen weight loss at a sintering rate of 32°C/min showed that all the porogen had leached out before the sample attained the maximum sintering temperature. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra confirmed the absence of porogen functional groups within the scaffold after sintering. The weight concentration of the porogen plays an important role in establishing the homogeneity and interconnectivity of the pores, as well as the mechanical strength of the scaffold