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Fabrication and characterization of poly(ɛ-caprolactone) coated silicate and borate-based bioactive glass composite scaffolds

In this study, silicate 13-93 and borate based 13-93B3 bioactive glass scaffolds with high porosity and interconnected pore structure (pore size 100–500 µm) were prepared by foam replication method. In order to improve the mechanical properties, the scaffolds were coated and infiltrated with a poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) solution at different concentrations (5, 10, and 20 wt%). Results revealed that the mechanical properties of the scaffolds were significantly improved by the PCL coating. The addition of 10% PCL coating led to approximately 10-fold increase of compressive strength in comparison with noncoated scaffolds. The bioactivity of scaffolds upon immersion in simulated body fluid was maintained in the PCL-coated scaffolds at all concentrations; however, a decrease in the formation rate and amount of crystalline hydroxyapatite was observed as the PCL concentration was increased in the coating layer. Degradation rate of the borate-based bioactive glass scaffolds was tailored by the PCL coating. It is concluded that the fabricated bioactive composite scaffolds represent promising candidates for bone tissue engineering applications.