In this study, Three-dimensional porous scaffolds made of Mg/Al-layered double hydroxide (LDH)/polycaprolactone (PCL) nanocomposites with different LDH contents have been prepared for bone tissue engineering applications. The microspheres-aggregated nanocomposite scaffolds were fabricated by freeze-drying and particulate leaching methods. The size of the microspheres ranges from 13 μm to 58 μm, in which the minimum microsphere size was achieved in the PCL scaffold with 0.1 wt% LDH. The hydrophilicity of the scaffolds was improved by the incorporation of LDH nanoparticles as demonstrated by the water contact angle measurement. The results of the mineralization study showed that the presence of Mg²⁺ ions could reduce the rate of apatite formation and calcium deposition in simulated body fluid (SBF). Furthermore, compared to the pure one, the nanocomposite scaffolds demonstrated better ability in protein adsorption and superior mechanical properties. The PCL/LDH scaffold can better support the growth and proliferation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs). Also, the results of the alkaline phosphatase activity assay determined that the addition of LDH nanoparticle into the PCL matrix could enhance the osteogenic differentiation of rMSCs. Altogether, our findings suggested that PCL/LDH (0.1−10 wt%) microsphere-aggregated scaffold may be a suitable candidate for the design of 3D scaffolds in bone tissue engineering application.

在这项研究中，由Mg / Al层状双氢氧化物（LDH）/聚己内酯（PCL）纳米复合材料制成的三维多孔支架具有不同的LDH含量，已用于骨组织工程应用。通过冷冻干燥和颗粒浸出方法制备了微球聚集的纳米复合支架。微球的尺寸在13μm至58μm的范围内，其中在具有0.1wt％LDH的PCL支架中实现了最小微球尺寸。如水接触角测量所证实的，通过掺入LDH纳米颗粒改善了支架的亲水性。矿化研究的结果表明存在Mg ²⁺离子可能会降低模拟体液（SBF）中磷灰石的形成速率和钙沉积。此外，与纯纳米支架相比，纳米复合支架表现出更好的蛋白质吸附能力和优异的机械性能。PCL / LDH支架可以更好地支持大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞（rMSCs）的生长和增殖。而且，碱性磷酸酶活性测定的结果确定了将LDH纳米颗粒添加到PCL基质中可以增强rMSC的成骨分化。总之，我们的发现表明PCL / LDH（0.1-10 wt％）微球聚集支架可能是在骨组织工程应用中设计3D支架的合适候选者。