Freeze-printing of pectin/alginate scaffolds with high resolution, overhang structures and interconnected porous network

We report herein the fabrication of a pectin-based scaffold (6 wt% pectin, 3 alginate) with high resolution (small-diameter rods), small pores, and interconnected porosity using low temperature 3D printing process known as freeze-printing. The ability to successfully print natural polymers has been long-standing challenge in field additive manufacturing polymeric tissue scaffolds. This is due slow evaporation rate aqueous solvent, which leads unstable structures. problem addressed by utilizing fast solidification freeze-printing process. Scaffolds hgresolution (rod-diameter 83 ± 14 µm), pores (<250 overhang structures, an porous network (pore height 319 µm z-direction) were obtained. scaffolds also found support viability chondrocytes their synthesis type II collagen. investigates processing-structure relationship fundamental science structurally stable structures produced polymers.