The development of polymer scaffolds with well-defined properties has gained significant attention in tissue engineering, particularly in regenerative medicine. These scaffolds are crucial for supporting cell growth, promoting tissue regeneration, and enabling the functional replacement of damaged tissues. Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer, has shown significant promise in scaffold fabrication due to its mechanical strength, controlled degradation rate, and versatility across various biomedical applications. Despite its potential, achieving scaffolds that combine optimal porosity, mechanical strength, and controlled degradation remains a challenge due to the limitations of existing fabrication techniques.
This study investigates the synthesis of PCL porous scaffolds for biomedical applications using emulsion templating, a method that allows precise control over material properties and overall scaffold performance. The primary objective was to evaluate whether these scaffolds meet the essential criteria for tissue engineering applications by characterizing their structural, mechanical, chemical, and degradation properties. The scaffolds were systematically characterized using several advanced techniques: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for analyzing chemical composition, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to assess thermal properties, Instron compression testing for evaluating mechanical strength, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphological analysis, and controlled degradation testing to monitor their biodegradation behavior over time.
The results confirmed that the emulsion-templated PCL scaffolds met the desired structural and functional requirements for tissue regeneration. Density and porosity measurements revealed well-structured voids with an interconnected pore network, which are considered favorable for effective nutrient diffusion and cell infiltration. FTIR analysis confirmed that the scaffolds retained the critical chemical groups that ensure the stability and functionality of the polymer throughout the fabrication process. DSC results demonstrated that the scaffolds exhibited thermal stability, validating their ability to withstand physiological temperatures without significant degradation. SEM imaging revealed a highly porous, interconnected structure with uniform pore distribution, ideal for promoting cell attachment, migration, and tissue integration. This porous structure is responsible for the reduced density observed in the scaffold. Mechanical testing revealed that the scaffolds exhibited adequate stiffness, with a Young’s modulus of 11.75 ± 2.99 MPa, making them suitable for load-bearing applications in tissue engineering. Finally, degradation testing showed that the porous polymer underwent complete degradation within 4 h in 3M NaOH solution, indicating its potential for controlled breakdown under accelerated conditions and for providing temporary structural support during tissue regeneration before gradually breaking down in a biologically appropriate and predictable manner.
These findings demonstrate that emulsion-templated PCL scaffolds offer a promising and versatile approach for the fabrication of biomaterials with tunable properties, suitable for a variety of biomedical applications. The ability to precisely control scaffold characteristics such as porosity, mechanical strength, and degradation rate makes these scaffolds an ideal candidate for use in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and drug delivery applications. By tailoring these properties, it is possible to create scaffolds that meet the specific needs of different tissue types and therapeutic purposes.