Direct write printing of three-dimensional ZrO2 biological scaffolds

•3D cylindrical and woodpile ZrO2 scaffolds were fabricated by direct write printing method.•The compressive strength of the sample with porosity about 63% was 8 MPa.•The compressive strength of the porosity 55% sample was 10 MPa.•3D porous ZrO2 scaffolds with interconnected architecture are beneficial for cell attachment and proliferation.

Three-dimensional (3D) zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) scaffolds have been fabricated for biological engineering by direct write printing method. The water-based ZrO2 ink with a solid content fraction of 70 wt% was deposited through a fine nozzle on the substrate by a layer-by-layer sequence to produce the 3D microperiodic structures. The preparation and the rheological behavior of this ink, as well as the principles of the direct write printing process were investigated systematically. Sintered at 1250 °C for 4 h was the optimal process for the uniform grain size and a certain amount of pores. No phase change was observed during the sintering process. Under a microscope, the proliferation of HCT116 cells can be observed around the 3D ZrO2 scaffolds. 3D porous internal architecture is beneficial for cell growth by providing more locations for cells attachments and proliferations. The largest value of compressive strength reached 10 MPa, which is more than that of the hydroxyapatite (HAp) scaffold. The ability of printing 3D scaffolds with the high precise control of their internal architecture is the unique characteristics performed by the direct write technique, which will provide potential application of biomaterials and tissue engineering scaffolds.

Graphical abstractThree-dimensional (3D) zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) scaffolds have been fabricated for biological engineering by direct write printing method. The water-based ZrO2 ink with a solid content fraction of 70 wt% was deposited through a fine nozzle on the substrate by a layer-by-layer sequence to produce the 3D microperiodic structures. Under a microscope, the proliferation of HCT116 cells can be observed around the 3D ZrO2 scaffolds. 3D porous internal architecture is beneficial for cell growth by providing more locations for cell attachment and proliferation. The largest value of compressive strength reached 10 MPa, which is more than that of the hydroxyapatite (HAp) scaffold. The ability of printing 3D scaffolds with the high precise control of their internal architecture is the unique characteristics performed by the direct write technique, which will provide potential application of biomaterials and tissue engineering scaffolds. (a) Top view of the sintered 3D woodpile ZrO2 scaffold; (b) top view of the sintered 3D cylindrical ZrO2 scaffold.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide