A 3D-Printed Bone Scaffold of Carboxymethyl Chitosan/Gelatin/Akermanite: Synthesis and Evaluation

In this study, carboxymethyl chitosan/gelatin/Akermanite (CMC/GEL/AK)-based scaffolds were prepared for bone tissue regeneration via 3D printing method. The bioactive AK was synthesized and used to fabricate the scaffolds. The AK powder was analysed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The porous scaffolds were fabricated and characterized to show their ability in bone tissue engineering (BTE). Degradation rate, swelling ratio, and mechanical properties of the scaffolds containing AK have been significantly increased. The scaffolds possess the interconnected networks with the pore size of about 300–900 μm. The mechanical strength increased up to 2.6 MPa by adding 20% AK to the scaffolds. In addition, cell viability and cell attachment studies exhibited the viability of up to 80%. This study confirms the potential of fabricated biocomposites in non-load-bearing bone defect regeneration.