Insoluble Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)‐Based <scp>3D</scp> Porous Scaffold Incorporating Silver Nanoparticles and Calcium Carbonate Formed by a Gas Foaming Technique for Enhanced Tissue Engineering Application

ABSTRACT Developing 3D porous poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) scaffolds via gas foaming techniques is often considered a promising strategy in tissue engineering. This study focuses on fabricating PVA scaffolds with advanced porosity and interconnected pore structures, which are crucial for nutrient diffusion and cellular infiltration. Moreover, integrating silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) into these scaffolds via an in situ reduction technique imparted antibacterial properties, further enhancing their tissue‐engineering applicability. The gas foaming technique, combined with freeze‐drying and alkaline treatment, enables the fabrication of scaffolds without the need for crosslinking agents, thereby safeguarding the biocompatibility of PVA. Additionally, the reaction used to generate gas within the polymer matrix produced calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ), known for its osteogenic properties. In vitro tests demonstrate that these scaffolds exhibit significant antibacterial properties, effectively inhibiting the growth of pathogens, which is attributed to the presence of Ag NPs, facilitating the release of compounds that combat bacterial colonization. Furthermore, the MTT assay showed that the material was non‐toxic to cultured cells. This research underscores the versatility of 3D porous PVA scaffolds as both a structural framework for tissue engineering and a functional material with inherent antibacterial properties, making them suitable for a range of biomedical applications.