3D-Printed Poly(lactic acid)/Poly(ethylene glycol) Scaffolds with Shape-Memory Effect near Physiological Temperature

Biocompatible poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was plasticized with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) added at concentrations of 10, 15, and 20 wt.% relative to PLA, and then processed into gyroid triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) scaffolds using fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing. The influence of PEG concentration and gyroid structure (50% infill density) on thermal transitions, crystallinity, and low-temperature shape-memory performance was systematically investigated. The shape-memory effect (SME) of the PLA-based scaffolds was tailored through compositional control and structural design. Shape recovery under thermal activation at 40 °C and 50 °C was examined to reveal the correlation between composition and structure in governing low-temperature shape-memory behavior. The optimal composition (PLA/10 PEG, 50% gyroid infill) achieved shape recovery with a recovery ratio (R_r) of 97 ± 1% at 40 °C within 6 ± 1 min, demonstrating optimal shape-memory activation close to physiological temperature. Structural and morphological changes were characterized using ATR-FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, DSC, XRD, and SEM, providing comprehensive insight into the plasticization of the PLA matrix and its impact on structure-property relationships relevant to bone tissue engineering.