Polymer derived porous carbon foam and its application in bone tissue engineering: a review

Carbon foam (CF), a lightweight, open-pore, and 3 D interconnected network-like structure comprising turbostratic carbon, is mainly synthesized from polymer precursors like polyurethane and melamine foams, mesophase pitch, coal tar pitch, etc. The glassy variant of CF known as reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) foam finds use as electrodes in electrochemical cells and Li-ion batteries, field emission cathode, high-temperature insulation, and electromagnetic interference shielding materials. However, of late, its implication has been extended to biomaterial platforms and tissue engineering avenues due to its high porosity and biocompatibility. RVC foam with tunable porosity, density, and mechanical properties can be synthesized by judiciously selecting the precursor materials and their processing conditions. Although proven to be bioinert, its surface modification renders it bioactive and hydrophilic to support cell adhesion and growth. Several groups including ours have demonstrated its implication in supporting osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In this regard, the present review attempts to provide some critical insights into the fabrication, structure, and characteristics of RVC foam and also highlights the challenges and future prospects of this material concerning its plausible implications in bone tissue engineering.