In order to compare the effects of the presence of BCNW and ice
microspheres on the resultant scaffolds, three different categories
of scaffolds were produced: (i) based on BCNW and PDLLA using
dimethyl carbonate (DMC) as the solvent without the presence of
ice spheres, these scaffolds served as controls to investigate the effect
of BCNW loading on pore structure; (ii) BCNW with PDLLA in
the presence of ice microspheres (as in situ porosifiers) using chloroform
as the solvent, with the solvent extraction (removal of chloroform)
conducted in solution using hexane as opposed to freezedrying,
with subsequent freeze-drying to remove the ice; and category
(iii), as (ii) however negating the hexane solvent exchange
and directly freeze-drying. Categories (ii) and (iii) were developed
to exploit hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions between the
phases with the overarching aim to line the pore walls with BCNW.
The resultant scaffolds were then subjected to characterization to
establish the effect of processing conditions and formulation on
their structure, porosity and to determine the location of the
BCNW.