Three-dimensional polycaprolactone-bioactive glass composite scaffolds: Effect of particle size and volume fraction on mechanical properties and in vitro cellular behavior

In this study, highly porous polycaprolactone-based composites (90% porosity) with hierarchical pore structure (400–500 µm) and nanotopographical features were prepared by 3D printing. 45S5 Bioglass particles with different sizes (<100 nm; 250 nm; 6 µm) and concentrations (2, 6, and 10 vol%) were utilized to attain improved mechanical strength and bioactivity. The micrometric particles embedded in the polymer matrix enhanced the elastic modules up to 235%. The ultrafine particles decorated the struts and affected nanotopography, hydrophilicity, and nanohardness by about 100%. The rate of pore filing lowers in the presence of nanoparticles as compared with microparticles.