Nonsolvent induced phase separation (NIPS)-based 3D plotting for 3-dimensionally macrochanneled poly(epsilon-caprolactone) scaffolds with highly porous frameworks

Abstract

This study demonstrates the utility of nonsolvent induced phase separation (NIPS)-based 3D plotting as a novel SFF technique for the production of 3-dimensionally macrochanneled poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds with highly porous PCL frameworks. In particular, a PCL/tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution was deposited in an EtOH bath to rapidly solidify PCL filaments with a highly porous structure through exchange of THF solvent and EtOH nonsolvent. All the scaffolds produced with various PCL concentrations (14 wt%, 18 wt%, and 22 wt%) showed well-constructed 3-D macrochannels with highly porous PCL frameworks. However, the mechanical properties of the scaffolds, measured by compressive and tensile strength tests, increased with an increase in PCL concentration owing to a decrease in the overall porosity. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.