Design and characterization of polymeric scaffolds reinforced with ZrO2-doped BG-85S bioabsorbable ceramics for training bone restoration

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of varying ZrO₂ content on the mechanical properties of BG-85S bioactive glass, aimingto enhance its potential as a scaffold material in tissue engineering applications. Compressive strength and porosity wereanalyzed, revealing a significant enhancement in compressive strength and a reduction in porosity with increasing ZrO₂content. Specifically, compressive strength increased from approximately 210 MPa at 0 wt% ZrO₂ to about 300 MPa at 6 wt%ZrO₂, while porosity decreased from around 50 vol% to 30 vol% over the same range. These improvements are attributedto the reinforcing effect of ZrO₂, which enhances structural integrity and resistance to deformation, and promotes a densermaterial structure through liquid phase sintering and vitrification. Additionally, increases in hardness and Young's moduluswith higher ZrO₂ content were observed, further supporting the potential of ZrO₂-doped bioactive glasses for biomedicalapplications requiring enhanced mechanical performance. The observed improvements in mechanical properties, includingincreased compressive strength, reduced porosity, and enhanced hardness and Young's modulus, highlight the suitability ofZrO₂-doped bioactive glass for load-bearing applications in tissue engineering. These findings underscore the importance ofoptimizing ZrO₂ content to maximize mechanical performance while maintaining bioactivity and biocompatibility. Futureresearch should focus on further optimizing ZrO₂ content for specific applications, assessing the long-term stability andbioactivity of these materials in physiological conditions, and exploring the potential of ZrO₂-doped bioactive glasses in variousbiomedical applications.