Porous hydroxyapatite scaffolds produced by the combination of the gel-casting and freeze drying techniques

A technique combining gel-casting and freeze drying methods is introduced to prepare porous hydroxyapatite scaffolds which allow for better control of the scaffold microstructure and have improved mechanical properties. A monomeric system which is known to be a suitable gelling agent for setting ceramic suspensions into dense forms was selected to produce ceramic foams. Different concentrations of sodium lauryl sulphate solution were added into the hydroxyapatite gel suspension as a pore former. The effect of the solid content on the mechanical properties of the scaffold was also investigated. Rapid freezing with liquid nitrogen was performed according to the freeze drying technique and the porous structure and morphology of the scaffolds were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical properties of the hydroxyapatite scaffolds were determined by testing compressive strength using a universal testing machine. The prepared scaffolds were characterized by well-defined pore connectivity along with directional, uniform and completely open porosity. The maximum compressive strength of about 17 MPa obtained from the suspension consisted of 50% solid content with 20% concentration of sodium lauryl sulphate solution. The results show that sodium lauryl sulphate solution plays a significant role in changing the pore structure of hydroxyapaite scaffolds in systems having high solid content.