Bioresorbable polylactic acid (PLA) and bioactive glasses (BG) composite: Influence of gold coated of BG powder on mechanical properties and chemical reactivity

Due to the ageing of the population, the synthesis of biomaterials and the optimization of their physico-chemical characteristics are at the heart of many research projects in regenerative medicine. The emergence of 3D printing techniques has rapidly led to the manufacture PLA-BG composite scaffolds using the FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) technique. However, this composite presents some problems including a lower mechanical strength than the two compounds alone, probably due to the ionic salting-out induced by the BG. This study aims to counter this phenomenon by coating the BG particles with a thin layer of gold. The 3D composite objects will then be characterized mechanically and biologically to ensure that the bioactive character of the composite is preserved.

Automated summary

Due to population ageing, the synthesis and optimization of biomaterials with desired physico-chemical characteristics are important in regenerative medicine. The use of 3D printing techniques has led to the manufacture of PLA-BG composite scaffolds, but the composite has lower mechanical strength possibly due to the ionic salting-out caused by BG. This study aims to counteract this by coating BG particles with a thin layer of gold, and evaluating the mechanical and biological characteristics of the 3D composite objects to preserve their bioactive nature.