# Synergistic Effects of Ceramic Fillers and NaOH Treatment on Bioactivity of 3D-Printed Poly(ε-caprolactone) Scaffolds for Periodontal Tissue Regeneration

## TL;DR

Researchers improved 3D-printed scaffolds for bone regeneration by combining ceramic fillers and NaOH treatment, enhancing both mechanical and biological performance.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel combination of ceramic fillers and NaOH treatment to enhance the bioactivity and mechanical properties of PCL scaffolds.

## Key findings

- Ceramic fillers increased scaffold stiffness and compressive strength.
- NaOH treatment enhanced surface bioactivity and protein adsorption.
- The scaffolds supported good cell adhesion and proliferation in vitro.

## Abstract

Porous scaffolds composed of poly­(ε-caprolactone)
(PCL) and
ceramic fillershydroxyapatite (HAp) and β-tricalcium
phosphate (β-TCP)were fabricated via extrusion-based
additive manufacturing for bone tissue engineering applications. The
scaffolds exhibited interconnected pores (∼400 μm) in
a 0°–90° deposition pattern and were subjected to
alkaline surface treatment with 1 M NaOH to increase surface roughness
and promote partial exposure of embedded ceramic particles. Characterization
included rheological analysis to assess processability, thermal evaluation
via thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry,
and surface morphology using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive
spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Filler particle size was
characterized, confirming submicron dimensions favorable for bioactive
interaction; however, distribution within the polymer matrix was not
directly evaluated. Mechanical testing under uniaxial compression
revealed that ceramic addition increased stiffness and compressive
strength. Protein adsorption assays indicated a significant increase
in surface bioactivity following NaOH treatment. In vitro assays with
MC3T3-E1 preosteoblastic cells confirmed good cytocompatibility, cell
adhesion, and proliferation. Collectively, these findings suggest
that the combination of ceramic incorporation and surface modification
enhances both mechanical and biological performance, supporting the
potential application of PCL-based scaffolds in bone regeneration
strategies.