Fabrication and characterization of macroporous poly(L-lactide) scaffolds by solid-liquid phase separation and freez-drying techniques

The porous PLLA scaffolds were prepared by solid-liquid phase separation and freeze-drying techniques (SPS-FD) with different PLLA concentration of 5, 7, 10, 13, 16 and 20 wt%. The compression property was investigated in the connection with the porous morphology. The FE-SEM micrographs showed porous scaffolds with microtubules and became comb structured at higher polymer contents. Variation in porosity, mechanical resistance, and degree of regularity in the spatial organization of pores were observed when polymer concentration was changed. Polymer concentration played an important role in fabricating highly porous scaffolds, with this fabrication technique, result suggesting that for polymer concentrations of below 10 wt% holding great potential for tissue engineering applications.