In vitro study on porous silver scaffolds prepared by electroplating method using cellular carbon skeleton as the substrate

Porous silver scaffolds, with the porosity ranging from 68% to 81% and the apparent density ranging from 0.4 to 1 g⋅cm− 3 were prepared by electroplating method using cellular carbon skeleton as the substrate. The microstructure, mechanical property, cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of the prepared porous silver scaffold were studied. The present porous silver scaffolds had a highly three-dimensional trabecular porous structure with the porosity and the apparent density close to that of the cancellous bone. Furthermore, the mechanical property such as elastic modulus and yield strength of the porous silver scaffolds were lower than that of commercial available porous Ti and porous Ti alloys but much closer to that of the cancellous bone and porous Ta. In addition, study of in vitro behavior showed that the porous silver scaffold possessed significant antibacterial capability of inhibition of bacterial proliferation and adherence against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and little cytotoxicity to Mg-63 cell line and NIH-3T3 cell line. Consequently, the porous silver scaffolds prepared by electrodeposition possess a promising application for bone implants.

► Porous Ag scaffolds were produced by electroplating Ag on cellular carbon skeleton.
► Porous Ag scaffolds have the porosity 68–81% and the apparent density 0.4–1 g⋅cm− 3.
► The mechanical property of porous Ag is close to cancellous bone and porous Ta.
► Porous Ag inhibits the proliferation and adherence of S. aureus and S. epidermidis.