Review on mechanical, piezoelectric, and biological properties of barium titanate ceramics composites for bone tissue engineering applications

Abstract

Bone scaffolds are healthcare products used in bone tissue engineering (BTE) to treat critical-size bone defects. Bioceramics are often used to develop bone scaffolds, as they have characteristics similar to those of natural bone. Among the various bioceramics investigated, barium titanate (BT) has attracted significant attention because of its good mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and piezoelectric characteristics, which can mimic the electrical microenvironment of bone tissue. This article provides a comprehensive survey of the mechanical, piezoelectric, and biological properties of BT ceramic-based materials for BTE applications. This review begins with a discussion of the influence of crystal structure, synthesis technique, various scaffold fabrication methods, surface modifications, and doping strategies on the mechanical performance and piezoelectric response of BT ceramics. The biological interactions, including cell adhesion, proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, Ba2+ ion release, and reactive oxygen species, are analyzed. The in vivo studies, clinical translation, current challenges, and future perspectives are discussed in the latter part. Overall, this article reports the performance of BT ceramics-based scaffolds that can significantly enhance bone regeneration.