Processing of highly porous TiO2 bone scaffolds with improved compressive strength

In the present study, the effect of sintering time and recoating procedures on the pore architectural parameters and compressive strength of highly porous ceramic TiO2 foams were investigated. Long sintering times (>5 h) at 1500 °C led to an inward collapse of one wall of the triangular voids typically found in the strut interior of foams prepared using the replication method. This strut folding led to increased compressive strength, while the pore architectural features were not significantly affected. Furthermore, majority of the internal porosity of the foam struts was partially eliminated and became accessible for infiltration with TiO2 slurry. Recoating procedures were found to markedly reduce the flaw size and number in the TiO2 foam struts, which led to significant strengthening of the ceramic structure (0.7 → 3.4 MPa) by improved structural uniformity and slightly increased strut diameter.