Development of functionally graded porous titanium/silk fibroin composite scaffold for bone repair

Abstract

A composite scaffold comprising a silk fibroin (SF) sponge on functionally graded titanium (FG-Ti) was developed. The FG-Ti showed a radial graded structure similar to native long bone and better mechanical properties than those of homogeneous porous Ti with the same porosity. The microstructure of the composite scaffold was observed using scanning electron microscopy. The SF sponge filled in FG-Ti exhibited interconnected pore architecture, which could provide a suitable environment for cell attachment. The in vitro biocompatibility of the composite scaffolds was investigated using rat osteoblastic cells. Compared to FG-Ti, composite scaffolds exhibited an improved osteoblast adhesion and proliferation. These results suggest that the composite scaffold is a good candidate as a bone repair scaffold.