Fabrication and characterization nanostructured forsterite foams with high compressive strength, desired porosity and suitable bioactivity for biomedical applications

This work deals with the fabrication and mechanical improvement of nanostructured forsterite foam. Nanostructured forsterite foams were prepared via gelcasting followed by two step sintering. Phase composition, morphology, porosity and compressive strength of the sintered foams were evaluated by X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, Archimedes method, and compression tests. In addition, the in vitro bioactivity of forsterite foams was evaluated by soaking the samples in simulated body fluid. Results showed that nanostructured forsterite foams were prepared with maximum compressive strength and elastic modulus of about 7.2 and 271 MPa, respectively. The foams had highly interconnected spherical pores with size in the range of 60–320 μm. Total porosity of the prepared foams was in the range of 79–87 %, which depends on the heat treatment process. During immersion in simulated body fluid, apatite layer was formed on nanostructured forsterite foam, which proved the good bioactivity of the prepared foam. It was concluded that two step sintering can prepare highly porous foams with appropriate compressive strength for tissue engineering applications.