Hierarchically porous structure, mechanical strength and cell biological behaviors of calcium phosphate composite scaffolds prepared by combination of extrusion and porogen burnout technique and enhanced by gelatin

- Hierarchically porous calcium phosphate scaffolds (HTCP) were fabricated.
- HTCP scaffolds contained unidirectional pores, transversely interconnected pores, and micropores.
- HTCP scaffolds were fabricated by the combination of extrusion and porogen burnout technique.
- Gelatin was incorporated into HTCP scaffolds by vacuum-impregnation of gelatin solution and subsequent freeze-drying.
- Gelatin incorporation increased the compressive strength, toughness, and cell seeding.

In this study, hierarchically porous calcium phosphate scaffolds (HTCP) with unidirectional pores, transversely interconnected pores, and micropores were fabricated by the combination of extrusion and porogen burnout technique. Gelatin was incorporated into the HTCP scaffolds by vacuum-impregnation of gelatin solution and subsequent freeze-drying. The phase composition, microstructure, physical and cytobiological properties were analyzed. The results showed that the HTCP scaffolds were composed of β-tricalcium phosphate with minor hydroxyapatite. The HTCP scaffolds had unidirectional pores (~ 400 μm), transversely interconnected pores (~ 130 μm) and micropores (~ 1 μm). The incorporation of gelatin significantly increased the compressive strength, toughness, and cell seeding of the HTCP scaffolds. The composite scaffolds showed excellent cytocompatibility. The hierarchically porous calcium phosphate composite scaffolds may have potential application prospects in bone tissue engineering.