PAM/GelMA Hydrogel Scaffolds with Three-Level-Diameter Pores Fabricated via the Pickering HIPE Template Method for...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Effective bone defect repair requires advanced biomaterials with porous structures to enhance cell-material interactions.
• Silica nanoparticles (SiO2) are promising for scaffold development, but surface properties need optimization for better integration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a robust, porous hydrogel scaffold for bone tissue engineering.
• To investigate the impact of surface-modified silica nanoparticles on hydrogel properties and bone regeneration potential.

Main Methods:

• Hydrophobic surface modification of 500 nm SiO2 nanoparticles using hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS).
• Preparation of a porous hydrogel via Pickering high internal phase emulsion stabilization using modified nanoparticles (2-30% addition).
• Characterization of hydrogel pore structure, mechanical properties, degradation, cytocompatibility, and osteogenic potential.

Main Results:

• Uniformly sized, hydrophobic SiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized.
• A hydrogel with a tunable, interconnected three-level pore structure (up to 6.64 μm pore-throat size) was fabricated.
• The hydrogel exhibited mechanical robustness (64.6 kPa modulus), slow degradation (50-60% retention over 40 days), excellent cytocompatibility, and promoted cell proliferation.
• In vitro assays confirmed osteogenic differentiation potential.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized porous hydrogel, utilizing modified SiO2 nanoparticles, demonstrates significant potential for bone defect repair applications.
• The tunable pore structure and mechanical properties of the hydrogel, combined with its biocompatibility, support its use in regenerative medicine.