Electrophoretic Deposition of Titanium Oxide on Wollastonite Glass-Ceramic Scaffold for Tissue Engineering

Fabrication of bioactive scaffolds for tissue engineering applications has attracted attention in the past decades. Porous wollastonite glass-ceramic scaffolds coated and impregnated with titania (TiO2) particles were utilized through electrophoretic deposition. The present study aimed at improving specific surface area, strength, and getting highest penetration depth of TiO2 particles into the pores. Deposition time, applied voltage, and concentration of the process were optimized to achieve homogeneous TiO2 coating on the surface of scaffold. Scaffolds were then immersed in simulated body fluid solution, and x-ray diffraction analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy tests were conducted to determine their bioactivity. Mercury porosimetry and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis were adopted to investigate the pore size distribution and surface area. Finally, field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) was utilized to compare the structural properties of the uncoated and coated scaffolds and investigate the penetration depth of TiO2 particles through the pores. Results showed the effect of voltage, slurry concentration, and process time on this depth. The compressive strength improved after coating. FESEM images and map analysis showed that a thin layer of deposited TiO2 on pore struts and a 2 mm penetration depth of TiO2 into the pores were achieved.