Fabrication of porous chitosan-polyvinyl pyrrolidone scaffolds from a quaternary system via phase separation

Abstract

Three-dimensional porous chitosan-polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) scaffolds were fabricated for tissue engineering applications via liquid–liquid or liquid–solid phase separation. A mixture of an acidic aqueous solution with butanol as a non-solvent and a chitosan-PVP quaternary system were freeze-dried. We then studied the homogenous open pore structure and the minute pore distribution in order to improve the mass transfer and cell seeding efficiency while also obtaining the optimal ratio of PVP to provide high interconnectivity and to improve the open-pore structure. The properties of the porous chitosan-PVP scaffolds – including the microstructure, chemical release, water absorption properties, and cell proliferation tests were studied – and the results were compared against those obtained from conventional scaffolds. chitosan-PVP scaffolds with a porosity of over 70% were obtained, and the pore morphology on the surface and within the porous scaffolds showed the presence of homogenous open pores with excellent interconnectivity. As the PVP content increased, main pores (50–100 μm) and minute pores (4–10 μm) could be clearly observed. Also, the porous scaffold showed an improved efficiency for cell adhesion after the cells were cultured for 4 h. After 72 h, the cultured cells presented an increase in the cell proliferation and on the porous scaffolds. These results strongly suggest that the porous chitosan-PVP scaffolds can be widely used in tissue engineering, including for biopatches and artificial skin applications.