The effect of temperature on the processing and properties of macroporous bioactive glass foams

Abstract

Resorbable 3D macroporous bioactive scaffolds have been produced for tissue engineering applications by foaming sol-gel-derived bioactive glasses. The foams exhibit a hierarchical structure, with interconnected macro-pores (10-500μm), which provide the potential for tissue ingrowth and mesopores (2-50nm), which enhance bioactivity The temperature at which the foams are produced is one of the many factors affecting the processing and properties of these foams. Foams of the 58S composition (60% SiO2, 36% CaO and 4% P2O5, in mol) were produced at 20°C, 25°C, 29°C and 35°C. The effects of temperature on the foam volume, gelling time and the resulting pore structure and surface texture were investigated.