Compositional, microstructural and mechanical effects of NaCl porogens in brushite cement scaffolds

Modification of the setting process brushite cements by varying concentration ions that alter calcium phosphate crystallization kinetics, is known to enable control on monetite conversion extent and accompanying microporosity. This useful because serves as a suitable matrix in macroporous scaffolds due its higher phase stability finer crystal morphology compared hydrous counterpart brushite. In this study synergistic effect NaCl citric acid microstructural evolution cement was demonstrated microporosity monetite-rich blocks minimized variable porogen size distribution approach. Initially, maximum packing ratio various combinations groups PEG were determined their rheological analysis range between 57% 69%. Statistical revealed positive correlation amounts particles under 38μm 212μm ratio. Further broadening distributions porogens with fine precursors effective increasing solids more than for porogens. improvement accompanied reduction despite increase micropore volume ion induced formation. The detrimental introduced structure during formation balanced some not so much others, thereby resulting wide porosities mechanical properties. Thus, exponential dependence properties porosity at theoretical zero-porosity according Rice’s model. Zero-porosity extrapolations those predicted cement, contrary common assumption mechanically stronger monetite.