Desenvolvimento e caracterização de scaffolds de PCL/Sepiolita/Hidroxiapatita para aplicação no reparo do tecido ósseo

Abstract

Technological advances, especially in healthcare, have significantly increased quality of life and life expectancy. However, this progress has also brought challenges, such as the increased incidence of bone-related diseases, including wear, fractures, and osteoarthritis. Although several treatments are available, such as autologous and allografts, these are donor-dependent and carry a risk of rejection. In this context, biomaterials emerge as a promising alternative for bone regeneration. This study aimed to develop and characterize three-dimensional scaffolds composed of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), hydroxyapatite (HA), and sepiolite (SEP), intended for use in bone tissue repair. The scaffolds act as temporary grafts that aid regeneration, with HA contributing its high osteoconductivity and similarity to the mineral phase of bone; sepiolite provides mechanical rigidity and bioactivity; and PCL acts as a biodegradable polymer matrix, providing structural support and controlled degradation. The composites were obtained by extrusion and subsequently processed via additive manufacturing using the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) technique. Characterization involved thermal analyses (DSC and TGA), which demonstrated changes in thermal transitions, crystallinity, and mass loss as a function of the added fillers. Rheological analysis revealed an increase in viscosity, especially in formulations with higher sepiolite content, which favors 3D printing. Overall, the scaffolds produced met the research expectations, demonstrating potential for application in bone tissue engineering. However, future studies should include more in-depth biological evaluations, such as cell culture tests and biocompatibility analyses, to validate their efficacy in a biological environment.