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3D-Printed Poly(lactic acid)/Poly(ethylene glycol) Scaffolds with Shape-Memory Effect near Physiological Temperature.
Anastasia A Fetisova1,2, Abdullah Bin Firoz2, Alexandr S Lozhkomoev2,3
1International Research and Development Center Piezo- and Magnetoelectric Materials, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, 30 Lenina Avenue, Tomsk 634050, Russia.
Polymers
|January 10, 2026
Summary
Poly(lactic acid) scaffolds with poly(ethylene glycol) showed shape-memory effects. Optimal PLA/10 PEG scaffolds recovered 97% shape at 40°C, ideal for bone tissue engineering.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Science
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Biocompatible poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a promising material for tissue engineering scaffolds.
- Enhancing PLA's properties, such as its shape-memory effect, is crucial for advanced applications.
- Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) can be used as a plasticizer to modify PLA's characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) concentration on the thermal, crystalline, and shape-memory properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) gyroid scaffolds.
- To explore the influence of gyroid structure (50% infill density) on these properties.
- To determine the optimal composition and structure for low-temperature shape-memory performance relevant to bone tissue engineering.
Main Methods:
- Fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing was used to create gyroid TPMS scaffolds with varying PLA/PEG ratios (10, 15, 20 wt.% PEG).
- Thermal transitions and crystallinity were analyzed using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD).
- Shape-memory performance was evaluated by measuring shape recovery ratios and times at 40°C and 50°C, complemented by ATR-FTIR and SEM analysis.
Main Results:
- PEG addition plasticized the PLA matrix, affecting thermal transitions and crystallinity.
- The optimal composition (PLA/10 PEG) with a 50% gyroid infill density achieved a high shape recovery ratio (97 ± 1%) at 40°C within 6 ± 1 min.
- Shape-memory performance was significantly influenced by both PEG concentration and the gyroid scaffold's structural design.
Conclusions:
- PLA-PEG gyroid scaffolds fabricated via FFF exhibit tunable low-temperature shape-memory properties.
- The optimal PLA/10 PEG composition demonstrates efficient shape recovery near physiological temperatures, making it suitable for bone tissue engineering.
- This study highlights the potential of compositional and structural control in developing advanced biomaterials for regenerative medicine.
