Abstract
The 3D printing of a biomimetic scaffold with a high hydroxyapatite (HA) content (>80%) and excellent mechanical property is a serious challenge because of the difficulty of forming and printing, insufficient cohesion, and low mechanical property of the scaffold. In this study, hydroxyapatite whiskers (HAWs), with their superior mechanical property, biodegradability, and biocompatibility, were used to reinforce spherical HA scaffolds by 3D printing. The compressive strength and energy absorption capacity of HAW-reinforced spherical HA (HAW/HA) scaffolds increased when the HAW/HA ratio increased from 0:10 to 4:6 and then dropped with any further increases in the HAW/HA ratio. Bioceramic content (HAWs and spherical HA) in the scaffolds reached 83%, and the scaffold with a HAW/HA ratio of 4:6 (4-HAW/HA) exhibited an optimum compressive strength and energy absorption capacity. The scaffold using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as an additive possessed a good bonding between HA and PVA as well as a higher strength, which allowed the scaffold to bear a higher stress at the same strain. The compressive strength and toughness of the 4-HAW/HA-PVA scaffold were 1.96 and 1.63 times that of the 4-HAW/HA scaffold with hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), respectively. The mechanical property and inorganic components of the biomimetic HAW/HA scaffold were similar to those of human bone, which would make it ideal for repairing bone defects.