The Effect of MgO Content on the Preparation of Porous Hydroxyapaite Scaffolds by Polymer Sponge Method

Porous hydroxyapatite (HAp) scaffolds have been prepared by using the slurry including HAp and magnesia based on the replication of polymer sponge substrate. The influence of MgO content in slurry on the pore morphology and size, density, porosity, and mechanical strength of porous HAp scaffolds was investigated. The obtained scaffolds with average pore sizes ranging 150 to 300 mm had open, relatively uniform, and interconnected porous structure regardless of MgO content. As the MgO content increased, the pore network frame of scaffolds became to be relatively stronger, even though the pore size was not much changed. The compressive strength of the scaffolds increased rapidly with the increase of MgO content because of increasing the pore wall thickness and density of the scaffolds. As a result, the porosity, density, and compressive strength of the porous HAp scaffolds prepared by the sponge method were significantly affected by the addition of MgO.