Gas Foaming Method Research Articles

The Effect of Power Rate Microwave Heating on Limestone Carbonated Hydroxyapatite Scaffold Using Gas Foaming Method

Microwave heating was used with a gas foaming method for fabricating limestone carbonated hydroxyapatite scaffold (SCHA). Carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) was produced from limestone as a calcium source using the co-precipitation method. For further treatment, 0.6 gr CHA powder was mixed in 1 ml H2O2 solution as a blowing agent. The slurry-foam-like CHA was heated in a microwave with different levels of heating power from 180 W to 720 W. The SCHA samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). The crystallinity and crystallite size were affected due to different rates of heating power in the microwave-assisted method. The increasing temperature decreased the crystallite size from 37.49 to 33.97(nm). However, other crystallinity trends were observed at 180 W because the lower power heating needed a longer time to be formed SCHA. The different power rates have an insignificant contribution to the morphology of the scaffolds.

A Facile and Green Synthesis of Hydrophobic Polydimethylsiloxane Foam for Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene Removal

Due to its excellent properties, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) foam has recently attracted significant academic and industrial attention. In this study, a facile and green method was developed for PDMS foam synthesis. The PDMS foam was prepared by using the gas foaming method with eco-friendly materials, namely NaHCO3 as a blowing agent and acetic acid as the catalyst. By changing the ratios of the reactants and the curing temperature, foams with varying properties were obtained. The water contact angle of the obtained PDMS foams ranged from 110° to 139°. We found that the PDMS foams can be compressed to a maximum strain of 95% and retain their original size, showing excellent mechanical properties. The synthesized PDMS foams were tested as an absorbent to remove benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) from the water. It exhibited good selectivity, outstanding reusability, and absorption capacity. Its capability to remove a large amount of organic solvent from the water surface suggests the great promise of PDMS foam in recovering spilled organic compounds from water, with excellent separation performance for continuous treatment.

Hygroscopic and Photothermal All-Polymer Foams for Efficient Atmospheric Water Harvesting, Passive Humidity Management, and Protective Packaging.

Environmental humidity and thermal control are of primary importance for fighting global warming, growing energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. Sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting is an emerging technology with great potential in clean water production and passive cooling applications. However, sorption-based humidity management and their hybrid applications are limited due to the lack of energywise designs of hygroscopic materials and devices. Herein, all polymeric 3D foams are developed and evaluated as hygroscopic and photothermal materials. The gas-foaming method generates closed-cell structures with interconnected hydrophilic networks and wrinkled surfaces, expanding hygroscopic, photothermal, and evaporating areas of the 3D foams. These unique advantages lead to efficient water vapor sorption in a wide broad relative humidity (RH) range of 50-90% and efficient water release in a wide solar intensity (0.4-1 sun) and temperature range (27-80 °C). The reversible moisture sorption/release in 50 adsorption/desorption cycles highlights the excellent durability of the 3D foams compared to conventional inorganic desiccants. The 3D foams disclose passive and efficient apparent temperature regulation in warm and humid environments. Moreover, the use of the 3D foams as loose fill for fruit preservation and packaging is demonstrated for the first time by taking the merit of the 3D foams' moisture-absorbing, quick-drying, cushioning, and thermal-insulating properties. This work presents an integrated design of polymeric desiccants and scaffolds, not merely delivering stable water adsorption/desorption but also discovering innovative hybrid applications in humidity management and protective packaging.

Antibacterial polyurethane composite scaffolds for minimally invasive alveolar bone repair

Traditional stimuli responsible scaffolds could avoid large volume trauma during implantation, however, for alveolar bone repair, the complexity and diversity of oral environment requested antibacterial and biocompatible materials. In this study, 3D porous scaffold was prepared by in-situ polymerization and gas foaming method for minimally invasive alveolar bone repair. Citrate functionalized amorphous calcium phosphate (CACP) was incorporated into the polytetrahydrofuran (PTHF) based polyurethane (PU) scaffolds, functioning as antibacterial factor and simultaneously enhancing the osteogenesis expression. The obtained scaffolds presented high porosity and proper pore size as extracellular matrix as well as adequate mechanical strength for cell adhesion and structural support. The bending experiments suggested the PU scaffolds achieved good shape memory effect at temperature of 37 °C In addition, excellent antibacterial rate was observed with increasing content of citrate, and in vitro experiments confirmed the excellent biocompatibility and cell osteoconductive capacity. The developed 3D programmable antibacterial scaffold could be a potential candidate for the minimally invasive alveolar bone regeneration.

Hydrophilic shape memory polymer hydrogels with virous pore structures and shape changing performance

AbstractThe preparation of a porous shape memory hydrogel with excellent shape changing performance is a hot research topic at present. In this paper, hydrophilic hydrogels were synthesized using polypropylene glycol (PPG) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as raw materials and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) as crosslinking agent. The pore structures were developed by gas foaming and salt leaching methods. The results showed that the hydrophilicity of hydrogel and the swelling rate in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) increased with the increase of PEG mass fraction, the shape changing performance of hydrogels varied as well with high shape recovery rate ≥90%. The recovery speed in aqueous environment was faster than in the air. After embedding hydroxyapatite (HA) particles, the materials exhibited appropriate degradable properties and good in vitro mineralization performance. Therefore, the obtained PPG/PEG system hydrogels is expected to become an ideal platform for tissue engineering and other applications in the biomedical field.

Copper-Lithium-Doped Nanohydroxyapatite Modulates Mesenchymal Stem Cells Homing to Treat Glucocorticoids-Related Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head.

In situ tissue regeneration has been demonstrated to promote bone repair. To identify a better approach for treating osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), we prepared scaffolds using copper-lithium-doped nanohydroxyapatite (Cu-Li-nHA), which has the potential to modulate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) homing. The scaffold was fabricated using the gas foaming method and the migration, angiogenesis, and osteogenesis activities of MSCs were detected using Transwell assays, tube formation assays, alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red S staining, respectively. We then implanted the Cu-Li-nHA scaffold into the femoral heads of ONFH rabbits, and CFSE labeled exogenous MSCs were injected intravenously to verify cell homing. The repair effect was subsequently examined using micro-CT and histological analysis in vivo. The results showed that Cu-Li-nHA significantly promoted MSCs migration and homing by upregulating the HIF-1α/SDF-1 pathway. The Cu-Li-nHA group showed optimal osteogenesis and angiogenesis and greater improvements in new bone formation in ONFH rabbits. To summarize, Cu-Li-nHA promoted homing and induced the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, thereby enhancing bone regeneration during ONFH repair. Thus, Cu-Li-nHA implantation may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for ONFH in the future.

Macro- and microporous polycaprolactone/duck’s feet collagen scaffold fabricated by combining facile phase separation and particulate leaching techniques to enhance osteogenesis for bone tissue engineering

Herein, a facile macro- and microporous polycaprolactone/duck’s feet collagen scaffold (PCL/DC) was fabricated and characterized to confirm its applicability in bone tissue engineering. A biomimetic scaffold for bone tissue engineering and regeneration for bone defects is an important element. PCL is a widely applied biomaterial for bone tissue engineering due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, the high hydrophobicity and low cell attachment site properties of PCL lead to an insufficient microenvironment in designing a scaffold. Collagen is a nature-derived biomaterial that is widely used in tissue engineering and has excellent biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and cell attachment moieties. Among the resources from which collagen can be obtained, DC contains a high amount of collagen type I (COL1), is biocompatible, and is cost-effective. In this study, the scaffolds were fabricated by blending DC with PCL in various ratios and applied non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) and thermal-induced phase separation (TIPS) (N-TIPS), solvent casting and particulate leaching (SCPL), and gas foaming method to fabricate macro- and microporous structure. The characterization of the fabricated scaffolds was carried out by morphological analysis, bioactivity test, physicochemical analysis, and mechanical test. In vitro study was carried out by viability test, morphology observation, and gene expression. The results showed that the incorporation of DC enhances the physicochemical and mechanical properties of the scaffolds. Also, a large amount of bone mimetic apatite was formed according to the DC content in the bioactivity test. The in vitro study showed that the PCL/DC scaffold is biocompatible and the existence of apatite and DC formed a favorable microenvironment for cell proliferation and differentiation. Overall, the novel porous PCL/DC scaffold can be a promising biomaterial model for bone tissue engineering and regeneration.

Degradable smart composite foams for bone regeneration

Degradable scaffolds with high porosity, certain mechanical and shape memory properties and biocompatibility are ideal materials in the field of bone tissue engineering for minimally invasive surgical implantation methods. In this study, we prepared porous scaffolds using hydrophilic polyethylene glycol and degradable polycaprolactone as raw materials and calcium citrate/amorphous calcium phosphate as hybrid particles, via sequential gas foaming, salt leaching and freeze drying methods. The fabricated bone scaffold exhibited adjustable mechanical properties and pore structure, with high shape fixation (>94.5%) and shape recovery (>87%) in thermal cycling and excellent shape memory properties under simulated body fluid immersion near body temperature. Moreover, in cell proliferation and live/dead cell activity assay experiments, the scaffolds promoted the proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Immunofluorescence staining assay experiments further showed that the scaffolds had strong expressions of human type Ⅰ collagen (Col I) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in bone matrix. The material is expected to be a potential alternative material for bone tissue engineering.

A flexible porous chiral auxetic tracheal stent with ciliated epithelium

Tracheal stent placement is a principal treatment for tracheobronchial stenosis, but complications such as mucus plugging, secondary stenosis, migration, and strong foreign body sensation remain unavoidable challenges. In this study, we designed a flexible porous chiral tracheal stent intended to reduce or overcome these complications. The stent was innovatively designed with a flexible tetrachiral and anti-tetrachiral hybrid structure as the frame and hollows filled with porous silicone sponge. Detailed finite element analysis (FEA) showed that the designed frame can maintain a Poisson's ratio that is negative or close to zero at up to 50% tensile strain. This contributes to improved airway ventilation and better resistance to migration during physiological activities such as respiration and neck movement. The preparation process combined indirect 3D printing with gas foaming and particulate leaching methods to efficiently fabricate the stent. The stent was then subjected to uniaxial tension and local radial compression tests, which indicated that it not only has the same desirable auxetic performance but also has flexibility similar to the native trachea. The porous sponge facilitated the adhesion of cells, allowed nutrient diffusion, and would prevent the ingrowth of granulation tissue. Furthermore, a ciliated tracheal epithelium similar to that of the native trachea was differentiated from normal human bronchial primary epithelial cells on the internal wall of the stent under air-liquid interface conditions. These results suggest that the designed stent has the potential for application in the treatment of tracheobronchial stenosis.

Biomimetic and flexible 3D carbon nanofiber networks with fire-resistant and high oil-sorption capabilities

A facile and scalable approach to prepare multilayered graphene coated carbon nanofiber (G-CNF) foam has been demonstrated for oil/chemical solvent spill clean-up applications. 2D electrospun polyacrylonitrile/itaconic acid (PANIA) membrane was converted into a nature inspired three-dimensional (3D) aerogel networks self-assembled by a gas foaming method. The 3D nanofiber foams were then coated with Graphene Oxide (GO) and carbonised into G-CNF foam. These foams display highly interconnected network; mimicking the features of chicken feather and demonstrated the synergistic properties of graphene and carbon nanofibers. These 3D foams were light weight, resilient and exhibited fire-resistance properties. The design features of the G-CNF foams comprise of interconnected carbon nanofiber layers leading to high specific surface area that contributed towards oil and solvents sorption properties. The G-CNF foams perform high saturation sorption capacity (86–153 g g−1) toward a range of oils and organic solvents and demonstrated sustained sorption capabilities even after 11 cycles. In addition, the topology of the G-CNF surface and the morphology of the nanofiber foam were simulated and further studied using microstructure computational modelling and numerical analysis, which altogether showed that a significant enhancement in the surface area-to-volume ratio resulting from the coated graphene on the G-CNF foam.

Cradle-to-cradle: designing biomaterials to fit as truly biomimetic cell scaffolds– a review

ABSTRACT Undeniably cell culture plays an important role in biomedical and biological research from understanding cell metabolic pathways to drug screening processes. Traditional cell cultures have been two dimensional (2D) planar (cells growing only in monolayers) and at times frustratedly static. Due to the limitations of 2D cultures, most research has moved towards more complex and dynamic three dimensional (3D) systems that both academic and biomedical research have quickly adopted allowing for wider cell culture applications not feasible using 2D systems. Most 3D cell scaffolds are made using techniques such as particle leaching, or gas foaming methods among others. These approaches present some restrictions, mainly across geometric constraints with deficiencies in the control of pore size, secondary structure and interconnectivity. Other constraints include properly assessing if the materials in question are truly biocompatible and will allow for long term cell studies. Last but not least, mechanical properties of the prepared materials must match cell and tissue specific needs that will lead to correct cellular orientation. In this review we will focus on the key issues that need to be taken into consideration when reporting a new material as biocompatible and biodegradable to ensure reproducibility and rigor when designing novel scaffolds.

Development of Alkali-activated Foamed Lightweight Mortar Tungsten Mining Waste Mud-based Incorporating Expanded Cork

In this study, an Alkali-activation of tungsten mining waste mud (TMWM) was combined with aluminium powder (Al) as a blowing agent (gas foaming method). The synthesis of inorganic alkali-activated foamed mortar (AA-FM) and alkali-activated lightweight foamed mortar (AALW-FM) was achieved by incorporating expanded granulated cork (EGC) and one type of river sand < 2 mm. Al powder was added first to the dry mix with the mass used varying from 0.1 g to 0.5 g. Precursors and activators were included to produce a homogeneous mixture, which was placed into a mould (100x100x60 mm3), and cured in the oven at 60° C for 24 hours. The influence of two main parameters (Al powder contents and cork particles) on the AA-FM and AALW-FM properties (compressive strength, density, expansion volume and pore size distribution) were investigated. The compressive strength of the foams in the case of highly porous structures of the AALW-FM and AA-FM achieved 4.1MPa and 13.2MPa respectively, for samples with a larger amount of Al powder (0.5g). Open celled hardened of the AALW-FM and AA-FM with 0.5g Al shows a high porosity of 40% and 81% respectively. Therefore, tungsten mining waste-based alkali-activated foams shows potential as a thermal insulation material in certain situations.
 Keywords: Tungsten mining waste, Alkali-activated, Foamed Materials

Synergistic effect of fabrication and stabilization methods on physicochemical and biological properties of chitosan scaffolds

In this study, the aim was to investigate the changes in the physical, chemical and biological properties of chitosan scaffolds obtained by freeze-drying and microwave-assisted gas foaming methods. Also, it was aimed to determine the most suitable one when scaffolds are subjected to different stabilization processes. To prevent the solubility of chitosan scaffolds, stabilization processes were carried out by treatment with ethanol (EtOH), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), or sodium bicarbonate (Na2CO3). The chemical and physical changes in the chitosan structure induced by different stabilization methods were investigated by characterization studies carried out comparatively with two-dimensional chitosan films. The results showed that, particularly, NaOH stabilization improved the physical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the bulk material. The wettability and surface roughness of the chitosan films were enhanced for cellular adhesion after stabilization. Cell culture studies revealed that variations in both fabrication and stabilization methods significantly affected in vitro cellular responses such as cell attachment, proliferation and viability. In conclusion, chitosan scaffolds fabricated by microwave-assisted gas foaming and stabilized by NaOH solution were found as the best structure due to their higher cellular activities.

In situ gas foaming based on magnesium particle degradation: A novel approach to fabricate injectable macroporous hydrogels

Injectable hydrogels are attractive biomaterials for cell delivery in tissue engineering. However, the in vivo viability of transplanted cells remains limited. Typically, macroporous structures constructed in hydrogels are utilized to enhance oxygen and nutrients diffusion for cell survival and to promote integration between the material and host tissue. A new gas-foaming method to generate pores was proposed by directly adding Mg particles into cell-laden hydrogel solutions, taking advantage of the H2 gas formed during the degradation of Mg. The optimization design of the size and amount of Mg particles added into the hydrogels was investigated. Improved cell viability and proliferation were demonstrated in the group with Mg particles. Additionally, Mg2+ ions generated during Mg degradation facilitated the osteogenic differentiation of stem cells encapsulated in hydrogels. Extensive vascularized bone regeneration in the femoral defects of rats revealed that the use of Mg particles as the foaming agent is feasible, endowing injectable hydrogels with optimized porosity and enhanced bioactivity, and providing a new strategy for future designs of porous hydrogels in tissue engineering.

Fabrication and preliminary evaluation of the osteogenic potential for micro-/nano-structured porous BCP ceramics

Nanoscale interface of biomaterials exhibits superiorities in promoting tissue repair and healing. Bioceramics are one of the most commonly used biomaterials for biological purposes such as tissue engineering. The fabrication of nanoscale ceramics with smart topography is essential for modulating cells in contact with such surface. In this research, a gas foaming method was employed to fabricate porous biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) ceramics as substrates with a controllable component of hydroxyapatite/beta tricalcium phosphate (HA/β-TCP). Hydrothermal reaction was then introduced to modify the surface morphology of the substrates to obtain a nanoscale topography at different pH values and ionic microenvironments. Three kinds of ceramics (BCP; BCP with a nanoneedle-like surface, BNN; BCP covered with a hollow nanorod-like surface, BHN) were prepared with different surface morphologies and roughness, degradation properties and the phase composition during the hydrothermal process. All of them possessed an interconnected pore structure of macropores and micropores. Importantly, the nano-scale surface structure increased the total pore volumes as well as the micropore volumes, thus enhanced the specific surface area (SSA) and subsequent biological performance. Their biological behavior has also been assessed through a series of pivotal events, i.e. protein adsorption, cell attachment, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation. Consequently, we found the nano-crystallization of the hollow nanorod-like structured and nanoneedle-like structured ceramic surface enhance the adsorption of both total serum proteins and BSA in vitro compared to the original BCP ceramics with micro-sized grains, as well as exhibit a more persistent release of BSA. Additionally, all the three ceramics have displayed excellent biocompatibilities for MSCs, and the morphology of ceramics played a decisive role in cells spreading and morphology, in which BNN showed the strongest effect to facilitate MSCs differentiation towards osteogenesis.

Synthesis of three dimensional N&S co-doped rGO foam with high capacity and long cycling stability for supercapacitors

Inspired by steaming bread, a novel three dimensional N and S co-doped reduced graphene oxide (3D NS-rGO) foam is fabricated via a gas foaming method similar to steaming bread procedure, in which (NH4)2S2O3 is selected as the foaming agent as well as N and S source. Such cross-linked 3D structure not only has the high specific surface area also enable more transport channels for electrons/ions transport. Furthermore, introducing of N and S-containing functional groups creates lattice defects in graphene, which provides more active sites where the Faradaic pseudocapacitance occurs. Consequently, the electrochemical test of 3D NS-rGO sample in a three-electrode system demonstrates a high specific capacity of 306.3 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, two times higher than that of rGO prepared at the same temperature. Moreover, 3D NS-rGO sample reveals the superb cycling stability with less than 2% capacitance loss after 10,000 cycles and it exhibits potential application for high performance supercapacitors.

A combined compression molding, heating, and leaching process for fabrication of micro-porous poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds

Biomaterial scaffolds have been increasingly used for tissue engineering applications as well as three dimensional (3D) cell culture models. Herein, we report a simple procedure combining compression molding, heating, and leaching methods for the fabrication of 3D micro-porous poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) biomaterial scaffolds. In this procedure, PCL micro particles are mixed with NaCl of defined sizes and compression molded, followed by heating and subsequent leaching of NaCl particles. This technique eliminates the gas foaming method, which is commonly used in the fabrication of PCL scaffolds. Process and scaffold parameters (i.e., heating time, NaCl concentration, and NaCl particle size) were varied and analyzed to determine their impact on the overall scaffold structural and mechanical properties. An increase in NaCl particle size led to an increase in pore area but did not significantly impact the mechanical properties of the scaffolds. Additionally, NaCl concentration did not show a significant effect on pore area, but considerably impacted the mechanical properties, water absorption capacity and porosity of the scaffolds. Variations in the heating time did not have an effect in the pore area, porosity, water absorption capacity or mechanical properties of the scaffolds. We also demonstrated the ability of these scaffolds to support the proliferation of breast cancer cells. Overall, these results elucidated structure-property relationships in the fabricated micro-porous PCL scaffolds. Further, this procedure could be potentially scaled up for the fabrication of micro-porous PCL scaffolds.

Preparation of Lithium Titanate/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composites with Three-Dimensional "Fishnet-Like" Conductive Structure via a Gas-Foaming Method for High-Rate Lithium-Ion Batteries.

With use of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) as the pore-forming agent, three-dimensional (3D) "fishnet-like" lithium titanate/reduced graphene oxide (LTO/G) composites with hierarchical porous structure are prepared via a gas-foaming method. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images show that, in the composite prepared with the NH4Cl concentration of 1 mg mL-1 (1-LTO/G), LTO particles with sizes of 50-100 nm disperse homogeneously on the 3D "fishnet-like" graphene. The nitrogen-sorption analyses reveal the existence of micro-/mesopores, which is attributed to the introduction of NH4Cl into the gap between the graphene sheets that further decomposes into gases and produces hierarchical pores during the thermal treatment process. The loose and porous structure of 1-LTO/G composites enables the better penetration of electrolytes, providing more rapid diffusion channels for lithium ion. As a result, the 1-LTO/G electrode delivers an ultrahigh specific capacity of 176.6 mA h g-1 at a rate of 1 C. Even at 3 and 10 C, the specific capacity can reach 167.5 and 142.9 mA h g-1, respectively. Moreover, the 1-LTO/G electrode shows excellent cycle performance with 95.4% capacity retention at 10 C after 100 cycles. The results demonstrate that the LTO/G composite with these properties is one of the most promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.

Thermomechanical performance of blended metakaolin-GGBS alkali-activated foam concrete

This study aims to synthesize, at ambient temperature, blended metakaolin-ground granulated blast furnace slag (MK-GGBS) foam concrete (FC) presenting acceptable thermomechanical performance for use as self-bearing insulation material. First, a binder composition that could be used for MK-GGBS FC production was identified. Fourteen paste formulations were produced and analysed to determine the best proportions of MK, GGBS and activator to be used in an alkali-activated material (AAM) FC matrix. Certain requirements were specified for the fresh paste (initial setting time >180min) and solid materials (high compressive strength and moderate shrinkage) to be used for FC production. The optimized mix was then employed for AAM FC production by using an H2O2 blowing agent (gas-foaming method). The influence of two main parameters (H2O2 and surfactant contents) on AAM FC properties (density, porous structure, thermal conductivity and compressive strength) were investigated. FC density mostly depends on H2O2 content. The FC porous structure depends strongly on both H2O2 and surfactant contents. High surfactant content FCs have a thin homogenous porous structure. At constant density, FC compressive strength depends on the surfactant content. An optimized surfactant content maximizing FC compressive strength at constant density was identified.

Fabrication and Properties of Ca-P Bioceramic Spherical Granules with Interconnected Porous Structure

Spherical calcium phosphate (Ca-P) granules show advantages in filling bone cavity defects. In this study, gelatinizing technology combined with microsphere-sintering and gas-foaming methods was applied to fabricate porous spherical Ca-P bioceramic granules. The obtained three kinds of Ca-P granules (i.e., hydroxyapatite, HA-G; biphasic calcium phosphate, BCP-G; and tricalcium phosphate, TCP-G) exhibited uniformly spherical shapes and interconnected pore structures with controlled macropores (about 600 μm), and abundant minor- (10-100 μm) to microsized (<10 μm) pores. The obtained Ca-P granules contained only the HA and β-TCP phases, but their phase ratios (HA/β-TCP) had some changes in the sintering process. All of the Ca-P granules were favorable for serum protein adsorption and bonelike apatite formation, and TCP-G was superior to the other two. Cell-culturing results showed that these Ca-P granules could promote cell adhesion, proliferation, and expression of a series of osteogenic genes. These findings demonstrated that these Ca-P granules had good bioactivity and pro-osteogenic ability, especially for BCP-G and TCP-G. Therefore, the porous spherical Ca-P bioceramic granules fabricated by the novel method show great potential to serve as good candidates for bone defect filling materials.