B-TCP/BG S53P4 ceramic pastes rheological parameters optimization to scaffolds production by robocasting method

• Grant number: 19/08141-9
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2019
• Effective date (End): August 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal researcher: Eliandra de Sousa Trichês
• Grantee: Ana Paula Nogueira Alves
• Home Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 20/12944-7 - Evaluation of antibacterial and biological activity of B-TCP/S53P4 scaffolds obtained by robocasting and coated by tea tree oil, BE.EP.MS

Abstract

Currently, the importance of research and the production of scaffolds for the development of tissue engineering can be highlighted. Scaffolds are substrates allow differentiation, proliferation and cell growth, and has as main characteristics: high biocompatibility; adequate porosity and interconnectivity; ideal rates of degradation, geometry and pore size; besides adequate mechanical and biological properties. Aiming at bone treatments, the use of bioceramics, such as tricalcium phosphates (TCP), is noteworthy due to its reabsorption rates and chemical composition similar to the bone mineral phase. Among these phosphates, ²-TCPgains relevance because it has a high rate of reabsorption. It is possible to ally with ²-TCP the bio-glasses with the intention to improve the biological properties and obtain a greater densification of the scaffold, because the bioglass form liquid phase during the sintering. The bioglass S53P4 becomes quite feasible for this application because it has good results in the resolution of bone problems, besides being able to act as a sintering additive. A technique used to obtain scaffolds is the technique of robocasting, a type of additive manufacture, which has been distinguished by the great versatility of geometry of the scaffolds, in addition to obtaining, in a fast way scaffolds with personalized morphology, interconnected porosity and greater control of microstructure. In this method, the ceramic paste with controlled properties, is extruded by the nozzle of the printer, with geometry previously determined in computational software. However, pulp processing parameters, especially rheological characteristics, choice of additives and inject ability, need to be analyzed and standardized to obtain scaffolds with good mechanical properties coupled with adequate porosity. In view of this context, this research project has as a study the optimization of the rheological parameters of ²-TCP/BGS53P4 ceramic pastes for the production of scaffolds by the robocasting method. In order to achieve the objective, a detailed study of the variables that directly influence the rheological properties of the ceramic paste, such as solids content, type and quantity of additives, particle size and pulp stability will be carried out. In addition, printing parameters will be studied and the morphology and physical and mechanical properties of the scaffolds will be determined. Itis expected to standardize the variables of the ²-TCP / BG S53P4 folder for printing by robocasting, aiming to obtain a scaffold with properties optimized for application in tissue engineering. (AU)