SEM can be used to observe the surface morphology, pore size distribution, fiber diameter, pore interconnectivity, and structural changes before and after degradation of electrospun fibers, 3D-printed scaffolds, hydrogels, porous ceramics, biodegradable polymers, and composites. It can also evaluate cell adhesion, spreading, proliferation, and matrix mineralization on scaffolds, and analyze microscopic features such as surface modification, coating uniformity, particle/microsphere morphology, and material–cell interfaces. Its low-vacuum imaging and backscattered electron detection capabilities allow rapid imaging of some uncoated samples or samples that have undergone simple fixation and drying. With simple sample preparation and low operational requirements, it is suitable for scaffold material development, cell–material interaction and biocompatibility research in universities and research institutes, as well as product quality control and failure analysis in industry.
