Abstract: Objective To study the pore characteristics and biological properties of porous magnesium and magnesium alloy scaffolds. Methods Porous magnesium and magnesium alloy with different architectures were obtained by the method of template replication, NaCl particles of different shapes were used as space-holder particles. The effects of micro-architectures on pore characteristics, mechanical properties, degradation behavior and cell adhesion were compared and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray tomography (micro-CT), compressive tests, hydrogen evolution tests, immersion tests and direct cell culture tests. Results SEM and micro-CT results showed that the spherical pore structure had better interconnectivity. The intermetallic compound could significantly improve the mechanical properties of micro-architecture. The hydrogen evolution rate of porous magnesium scaffolds with larger specific surface area and lower porosity was faster. The results of scaffold-osteoblasts co-culture showed that the rapid degradation of micro-architectures was not conducive to cell adhesion and survival. Conclusion The interconnectivity, degradation rates and mechanical properties of Mg-based scaffolds can be modulated by adjusting the micro-architectures, whose implement performance is controllable.

Key words: biodegradable Mgbased bone tissue engineering scaffold, pore characteristics, mechanical properties, biodegradation, cell behavior