In vitro and mechanical characterization of PLA/egg shell biocomposite scaffold manufactured using fused deposition modeling technology for tissue engineering applications

Abstract

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) plays a crucial role in additive manufacturing in the development of novel materials to match the properties of patient specific implants. Polylactic acid (PLA) based biodegradable composite scaffold has shown remarkable progress in tissue engineering due to its better processing compatibility and mechanical properties. In this research work, widely available natural biomaterial egg shell particle (ESP) was used as a filler material, as the minerals aid during bone formation and mineralization. To study the effect of filler particles in PLA, filler percentage and porosity were varied up to 12% and 60%. The scaffolds were characterized for compression, surface morphology, porosity, water contact angle, and in vitro studies. Micro fibers with 10-100 μm were developed using FDM technology. A reduction of up to 85% was made in the water contact angle with respect to an increase in filler particles. 10% ESP withstood a maximum load of 369 MPa at 40% porosity. A maximum weight loss of 11 mg in 12% ESP composite at 60% porosity scaffolds was observed in simulated body fluid study. 3-(4,5dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay results revealed the absence of toxicity up to 72 h in the composite. 12% ESP showed good cell viability compared to pure PLA and 10% ESP scaffolds having better mechanical and biological properties.

Additive manufacturing of smart polymeric composites: Literature review and future perspectives

“…[ 48 ] These variables are defined by the material used, the nozzle dimension, and the printer type. Polylactic acid (PLA) [ 49–52 ] and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) are the most widely utilized materials with this technology, along with polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) [ 53–56 ] and other composites. To utilize multi‐materials in FDM with multi‐purpose products, it needs to be optimized for the mentioned variables.…”

Scaffold fabrication from drug loaded HNT reinforced polylactic acid by FDM for biomedical applications

“…Singh et al [ 10 ] used almond skin particles as reinforcing material for PLA matrix with the aim of creating 3D‐printed biomedical scaffolds. Sankaravel et al [ 11 ] fabricated eggshell particles (ESP) which served as minerals to help the growth and mineralization of bones with PLA scaffolds via FDM, by changing the weight ratio and porosity percentage of ESP. Owing to nozzle clogging and poor flow of printed composite, 12% (w) ESP deteriorated compressive strength, while 10% (w) ESP enhanced related to strength.…”

A comprehensive review on natural fillers reinforced polymer composites using fused deposition modeling

“…Fused deposition modeling has a significant advantage in developing complex structures using biodegradable polymer composite materials for multiple applications such as medical, automobile, sensor, and drug delivery. [65,66] The main advantage of FDM is low cost, ease of access, and control with fewer skills and effort by the user. FDM consumes polymer as feedstock material and products fabricated with the stack addition of layers by G code (Deposition routes or path) of CAD data.…”