Preparation and characterization of magnetic mesoporous bioactive glass/carbon composite scaffolds

The magnetic Fe-MBG/C composite scaffolds with enhanced mechanical strength and multifunctionality have been successfully prepared. The study showed that the Fe-MBG/C composite scaffolds with the porosity of ca. 80% had interconnected macropores (200-500 μm) and mesopores (3.7-4.4 nm) and significantly enhanced the compressive strength compared to the pure MBG scaffolds. Importantly, the Fe-MBG/C composite scaffolds exhibited good bioactivity and sustained drug release property. At the same time, the Fe-MBG/C composite scaffolds could generate heat to raise the temperature of surrounding environment in an alternating magnetic field due to their superparamagnetic behavior. Therefore, the magnetic Fe-MBG/C composite scaffolds could form a multifunctional platform with bone regeneration, magnetic hyperthermia, and local drug delivery and have more potential for use in the regeneration of the critical-sized bone defects caused by bone tumors.