Abstract
Bioactive glasses have wide application prospects in bone replacement and regeneration owing to the unique osteoconductivity and osteostimulativity. However, the high brittleness and poor compressive strength limit their applications in load-bearing positions. In this study, multi-wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were used to toughen bioactive glass (13–93 glass), and their nanocomposite scaffolds were fabricated by selective laser sintering. The effect of CNTs amount (1–5 wt.%) on mechanical properties of the scaffolds was investigated. The results showed that CNTs were effective to improve the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite scaffolds by virtue of the toughening mechanisms of bridging, pull-out and crack deflection. The optimum compressive strength and fracture toughness reached to 37.32 MPa and 1.58 MPa·m1/2, respectively, by adding the appropriate amount of CNTs (3 wt.%). In addition, the bone-like hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA) layer was formed on the surface of the nanocomposite scaffolds after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 10 days. And the cell culture test showed that the scaffolds should have good cytocompatibility. The research indicated that the 13–93 glass-CNTs nanocomposites scaffolds are promising candidates for bone tissue engineering applications.
