Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Fabrication of a Bioactive, PCL-based "Self-fitting" Shape Memory Polymer Scaffold
Published on: October 23, 2015
Co-enhance bioactive of polymer scaffold with mesoporous silica and nano-hydroxyapatite
Cijun Shuai1,2,3, Yong Xu1,4, Pei Feng1
1a State Key Laboratory of High Performance Complex Manufacturing , College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Central South University , Changsha , China.
Abstract:
Mesoporous silica Santa Barbara Amorphous-15 (SBA15) and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) were introduced in poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) scaffold fabricated by selective laser sintering to co-enhance the bioactivity. On the one hand, the active elements silicon and calcium released respectively by the degradation of SBA15 and nHA were favorable for stimulating cell response. On the other hand, the hydrated silica gel layer derived from SBA15 could adsorb calcium ions released from nHA, thereby co-promoting apatite nucleation and growth. The experimental results showed that the formation of bone-like apatite on the scaffold was accelerated under simulated body fluid, indicating a good biomineralization capacity. Moreover, the scaffold demonstrated a good cell response in promoting the attachment of cell and the expression of alkaline phosphatase activity. Besides, SBA15 and nHA not only improved the hydrophilicity of the scaffold (the water contact angle changed from 107.4° to 57.8°), but also retarded the pH reduction by neutralizing the acidic hydrolysate of PLLA. These results indicated that the PLLA-SBA15-nHA scaffold may be potential candidates for bone repair.
Related Concept Videos
Polymers
Polymers
Silica Gel Column Chromatography: Overview
Polar components tend to bind strongly to the silica gel, causing them to move slowly through the column. In contrast, nonpolar compounds...
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Solubility Enhancement
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Permeability Enhancement

