Digital light processing 3D printing of yttria stabilized zirconia ceramics: microstructures, characterizations, and cytocompatibility

3 mol% yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y-TZP) is a promising biocompatible ceramic for craniofacial bone reconstruction and regeneration applications. A digital light processing (DLP) based process has been developed for 3D printing of 3Y-TZP scaffolds for cellular growth, which aims to utilize commercially available 3Y-TZP slurry (Zircolite) and optimize the DLP parameters using a binary optimization approach. This research lays the groundwork for rapid and repeat fabrication of scaffolds with sub-millimeter pores. The as-sintered samples feature a high purity, density, and hardness. Cellular proliferation tests have verified the viability as scaffolds and shown promising results of adipose derived mesenchymal stem cell culture.