Synthetic polymers are widely employed for bone tissue engineering due to their tunable physical properties and biocompatibility. Inherently, most of these polymers display poor antimicrobial properties. Infection at the site of implantation is a major cause for failure or delay in bone healing process and the development of antimicrobial polymers is highly desired. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNps) were synthesized in polycaprolactone (PCL) solution by in-situ reduction which was further extruded into PCL/AgNp filaments. Customized 3D structures were then fabricated using the PCL/AgNp filaments through 3D printing technique. As demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy, the 3D printed scaffolds exhibited interconnected porous structures which are crucial for cell infiltration. Furthermore, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed the reduction of silver ion.Transmission electron microscopy along with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed the formation of silver nanoparticles throughout the PCL matrix. In vitro enzymatic degradation studies showed that the PCL/AgNps scaffolds displayed 80% degradation in 20 days. The scaffolds were cyto-compatible, as assessed by using MG63 cells and their antibacterial activity was demonstrated on Escherichia coli. Due to their interconnected porous structure, mechanical and antibacterial properties, these cyto-compatible multifunctional 3D printed PCL/AgNps scaffolds are highly suitable for bone tissue engineering.

The effect of addition of an ethylene‐propylene block polymer on rheological and mechanical properties of a linear‐low‐density polyethylene/polypropylene blend was examined. The samples were prepared by melt blending in a twin‐screw extruder followed by injection molding. The single‐, two‐ and three‐component systems were treated the same way. The mechanical behavior of the blends was evaluated by means of tensile, and flexural, tests at 23 and −40°C. The capillary, elongational, and dynamic‐flow measurements were performed at 190°C.