| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 230511 | The Journal of Supercritical Fluids | 2014 | 8 Pages |
•Using a TIPS process followed by SC-CO2 drying, 3-D chitosan scaffolds have been generated.•It is possible to modify scaffolds morphology varying the operating conditions.•Preliminary results on cell cultivation confirm that chitosan scaffolds are characterized by a morphology suitable for tissue engineering applications.
A crucial step of Tissue Engineering (TE) approach is the fabrication of 3-D biodegradable scaffolds. It has been achieved using various techniques, such as gas foaming, fiber bonding, solvent casting/particulate leaching, phase separation and 3D-printing. Each technique presents specific advantages and disadvantages; but, all of them share the difficulty to obtain simultaneously the macro, micro and nanostructure. In this work, a Supercritical Freeze Extraction Process (SFEP) is proposed for the formation of chitosan structures suitable for TE applications. We showed that it is possible to produce chitosan scaffolds characterized by a micrometric cellular structure, nanofibrous sub-structure and porous surfaces. The low process temperature allows to obtain 3-D solids, whose structure is preserved during supercritical drying. Preliminary results on cell cultivation confirmed that the generated chitosan scaffolds are characterized by a morphology that is potentially suitable for TE applications. A good cell adhesion was obtained and a large percentage of living cells was observed. This result can depend on the micrometric morphology of the scaffolds, that assures a good nutrient diffusion, and on the nanometric sub-structure that allows an adequate cells adhesion.
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