3D-printed laponite bioceramic triply periodic minimal surface scaffolds with excellent bioactivity for bone regeneration

Abstract

Laponite (LAP) is a promising biomaterial for bone regeneration due to its reliable biocompatibility and excellent osteoinductivity in bone tissue engineering. However, the personalized manufacture of LAP bioceramic scaffolds with controlled complex architecture and high porosity remains challenging. This study used vat photopolymerization (VPP) to manufacture LAP bioceramic scaffolds with high precision and biological activity. We first selected a 40 wt% LAP bioceramic slurry for subsequent VPP printing based on stability experiments and viscosity characterization results. The curing parameters of the photosensitive bioceramic slurry and the degassing sintering process were studied to ensure the quality of the ceramic green bodies. Then, we characterized the effects of different sintering temperatures (1150°C, 1200°C, 1250°C) on the crystalline phase composition, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the LAP bioceramic. The research showed that the densification and compressive strength of the LAP bioceramic sintered at 1250°C reached 2.51 g/cm3 and 15 Mpa, respectively. Finally, the bioceramic scaffolds with different sintering temperatures were co-cultured with rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to detect biocompatibility. The results showed that the three groups of scaffolds enhanced cell proliferation, adhesion, and osteogenic capacity. In conclusion, the LAP bone scaffolds by VPP presented the potential for bone repair.