Phosphoramide Hydrogels as Biodegradable Matrices for Inkjet Printing and Their Nano-Hydroxyapatite Composites.

Abstract

Inkjet printing is a leading technology in the biofabrication of three-dimensional biomaterials, offering digital, noncontact deposition with micron-level precision. Among these materials, hydroxyapatite is widely recognized for its use in bone tissue engineering. However, most hydroxyapatite-laden inks are unsuitable for inkjet printing. To address this, we developed photocurable and biodegradable phosphoramide-based hydrogels containing thiol-functionalized polyethylene glycol via click chemistry. These hydrogels degrade into phosphates, the natural component of bone. The rheological properties of the inks are finely tuned through chemical design to meet the requirements of nanohydroxyapatite composite inks for piezoelectric inkjet printing. We demonstrated their printability using simple geometric patterns, showcasing a versatile and efficient solution for the precise inkjet printing of biomaterial composites.