Novel porous Al2O3-SiO2-TiO2 bone grafting materials: formation and characterization

The present article deals with the development of 3D porous scaffolds for bone grafting. They were prepared based on rapid fluid infiltration of Al2O3-SiO2 sol into a polyethylene non-woven fabric template structure. Titanium dioxide in concentration equal to 5 wt% was added to the Al2O3-SiO2 mixture to produce Al2O3-SiO2-TiO2 composite scaffolds. The prepared scaffolds are characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and three-point bending test techniques. The bioactivity of the produced bodies is discussed, including the in vitro and in vivo assessments. The produced scaffolds exhibit mean total porosity of 66.0% and three-point bending strength of 7.1 MPa. In vitro studies showed that MG-63 osteoblast-like cells attach and spread on the scaffolds surfaces. Furthermore, cells grew through the scaffolds and start to produce extra-cellular matrix. Additionally, in vivo studies revealed the ability of the porous scaffolds to regenerate bone tissue in femur defects of albino rats 5 months post surgery. Histological analysis showed that the defect is almost entirely filled with new bone. The formed bone is characterized as a mature bone. The produced bone grafts are intended to be used as bone substitute or bone filler as their degradation products caused no inflammatory effects.