Electrically active and 3D porous TiO_2-x ceramic scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration

Bone healing can be significantly improved by applying electrical stimuli in the injured region. Thus, electrically active scaffolds with 3D structure are of interest as bone graft substitute materials. Such materials can locally deliver electrical current to the cells in the bone defects and in the same time ensure space for new bone formation. Present study is focused on preparation of novel highly porous and electrically active TiO_2-x ceramic scaffolds via polymer replica method. Scaffolds showed fully open and interconnected pore structure with porosity above 95%. Thermal treatment of the scaffolds under high vacuum conditions was realized to obtain nonstoichiometric TiO_2-x scaffolds and as a result electrical conductivity significantly increased from ∼10⁻⁹ mS/m to ∼40 mS/m. In vitro studies confirmed that scaffolds are cytocompatible and enhances cell spreading. Thus, TiO_2-x scaffolds holds a potential to be used in bone tissue regeneration as an electrical stimuli supplier enhancing bone healing process.