Neodymium (III)-containing poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-coated robocast bioactive glass scaffolds for photothermal therapy and bone regeneration

Abstract In this study, trivalent neodymium-doped silicate-based 13–93 bioactive glass scaffolds were prepared by the robocasting method using sol-gel-derived bioactive glass powders for tissue engineering applications. Sintered scaffolds were coated by borate-based 13-93B3 bioactive glass-containing polylactide-co-glycolide solution. The produced composite scaffolds’ mechanical, morphological, and structural characteristics were thoroughly examined, as their in vitro bioactivity in cell culture media and simulated body fluid. Furthermore, the scaffolds’ amoxicillin adsorption and release behavior was examined over time. The outcomes demonstrated that it was feasible to effectively create periodic, mesh-like-patterned robocast glass scaffolds utilizing Nd 3+ -doped sol-gel-derived bioactive glass powders. The scaffolds’ compressive strengths ranged from 10.02 MPa to 18.6 MPa, with the PLGA-coated scaffolds exhibiting the highest strength values. All of the scaffolds that were submerged in simulated body fluid for 28 days showed hydroxyapatite formation. The presence of borate glass on the surface of the silicate-based glass scaffolds improved the hydroxyapatite formation ability. The quantity of drug adsorption for all types of scaffolds was measured to be between 4 and 9% whereas the cumulative drug release was in the range of 58 to 96%. Borate glass particle-containing PLGA coating enhanced the drug delivery behavior.