Polymer infiltrated ceramic networks with biocompatible adhesive and 3D-printed highly porous scaffolds

Herein, for the first time is described the design of a novel porous zirconia scaffolds manufactured by using polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) and 3D-printing technologies. Cubic geometry of pieces was obtained by perpendicular layer-by-layer deposition of yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y-TZP) and Pluronic (R) hydrogel ceramic paste. The specimens were prepared by mbocasting assembly with 50% infill and 50% of pores, as feed setup. Bisphenol A glycemlate dimethacrylate (Bis-GMA) and tri(ethylenglycol) dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) copolymer, a well-known biocompatible adhesive, which is widely used in dentistry field, was employed to reinforce the pores of the 3D-printed ceramic structure. The success of the acrylate polymer infiltration above the scaffold surface and among the 3Y-TZP filaments was achieved through previous ceramic functionalization with 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (gamma-MPS). The well infiltration of the material on pores was evaluated by gravimetry, obtaining a value of 87.5 +/- 6.6% of pores covered by the adhesive. Such successful infiltration of methacrylate copolymer had also a positive effect on the mechanical properties of the scaffold material, being the PICN sample that one with the highest elongation resistance. The new system showed reduced bacteria proliferation, over 24 h of incubation with Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Streptococcus salivarius bacteria lines, when compared to the control.

Automated summary

This study describes the design and manufacture of a novel porous zirconia scaffold utilizing polymer-infiltrated ceramic network and 3D printing technologies. By employing specific ceramic pastes and a biocompatible adhesive, the scaffold was effectively reinforced and pores were adequately filled. The new system demonstrated reduced bacteria proliferation during incubation, showing promising potential for biomedical applications.