Fabrication of Low Temperature Carbonated Hydroxyapatite Porous Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications

Three-dimensional (3D) porous carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) scaffolds were successfully prepared using polyurethane (PU) replication technique. Two sets of porous scaffolds were prepared using as-synthesized and as-calcined CHA powder as the main component of the slurry. The effect of the condition of starting material was investigated in terms of structure, phase purity, crystallinity and morphology of the fabricated porous scaffolds. Regardless of the condition of starting material used, the porous scaffolds fabricated was single phase B-type CHA and free of secondary phases. Interestingly, scaffolds made of as-calcined CHA powder (SC scaffolds) showed a smoother surface and more solidified struts when compared to as-synthesized CHA powder (SA scaffolds). This is attributed to the state of semi-crystalline phase of the as-calcined powder being amorphous phase. SC scaffold was found to be better scaffold with respect to handling, compaction strength and microstructure with better strut properties.