Effect of Solvent on Porous PLA/HA Scaffolds Preparation Using Novel Solid H₂O₂ Porogen

Hydroxyapatite/polymer scaffolds with proper biomechanical properties and stable 3-D porous structure were fabricated by combining gas foaming with solvent-casting/particle-leaching technique, in which novel solid H2O2 were used as a porogen. During the manufacturing process, we found that the porosity, compressive strength and microstructure of the composites are varied from each other while different solvents (dichloromethane, acetone, chloroform and 1,4-dioxane) were used. Porosities of the specimens increase from 72±5 to 87±5% in accordance with the increase of boiling point from 39.75 to 101.32 °C, while compressive strength decreased (4.8±0.7- 0.5±0.3 MPa). Interactions of HA/solvent and PLA/solvent together with evaporation dynamic tests of different solvents were investigated. The results show that the evaporation rate of the solvents is the most important factor affecting the final properties of the scaffolds.