Piezoelectricity Promotes 3D-Printed BTO/β-TCP Composite Scaffolds with Excellent Osteogenic Performance

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Materials Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Piezoelectric materials can enhance bone regeneration.
• Developing advanced bone scaffolds is crucial for treating bone defects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and investigate the osteogenic performance of 3D printed barium titanate/β-tricalcium phosphate (BTO/β-TCP) piezoelectric composite scaffolds.
• To evaluate the impact of BTO content on scaffold properties and osteogenic potential.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of BTO/β-TCP composite scaffolds using Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D printing technology.
• Characterization of scaffold composition, mechanical strength, and piezoelectric properties (d33).
• In vitro assessment of cell viability (live/dead assay), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and gene expression (PCR) using MC3T3-E1 cells under ultrasound stimulation.

Main Results:

• Scaffolds exhibited a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) design with 60% porosity.
• Increasing BTO content from 50 to 80 vol% decreased compressive strength (2.47 to 1.74 MPa) but significantly increased piezoelectric constant d33 (1.4 to 21.6 pC/N).
• Demonstrated excellent biocompatibility, enhanced osteogenic activity (ALP, PCR), and cellular response to ultrasound stimulation.

Conclusions:

• 3D printed BTO/β-TCP piezoelectric composite scaffolds show significant promise for bone regeneration.
• The piezoelectric properties of these scaffolds can be tuned by adjusting BTO content, enhancing osteogenic performance.
• This study presents a novel strategy for developing advanced bone implants utilizing piezoelectric biomaterials.