Non-connected versus interconnected macroporosity in poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) polymers. An X-ray...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) is a biocompatible polymer with bone-like hardness.
• Porous biomaterials enhance bone integration, particularly when pores are interconnected.
• Developing methods for creating macroporous pHEMA with controlled porosity is essential for biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare macroporous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) using various porogens.
• To characterize the porosity, including pore volume and interconnectivity.
• To evaluate the suitability of different porogens for creating interconnected porous structures in pHEMA.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of macroporous pHEMA using sugar fibers, sucrose crystals, and urea beads as porogens.
• X-ray microtomography and image analysis to quantify pore volume and interconnectivity parameters.
• Surface treatment (carboxymethylation) followed by von Kossà staining to confirm pore interconnectivity.

Main Results:

• Sucrose crystals produced large, side-located pores.
• Sugar fibers and urea beads yielded similar pore star volumes but differed in interconnectivity.
• Sugar fibers created a highly interconnected porous network, while urea beads resulted in disconnected pores.
• Carboxymethylation and staining confirmed interconnectivity in sugar fiber-derived pHEMA.

Conclusions:

• Macroporous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) can be fabricated using water-soluble porogens.
• Sugar fibers are effective in creating interconnected porosity in pHEMA, beneficial for bone integration.
• X-ray microtomography is a valuable tool for assessing porosity and interconnectivity in biomaterials.