Synthesis and Characterization of Bioactive Quaternary Silicate Gel-glasses

Bioactive glasses and glass-ceramics were applied in bone fix applications, dental applications as well as in tissue engineering. In the current study, a new quaternary silicate bioglass S50P4 (50%SiO₂–24.5%Na₂O–21.5%CaO–4%P₂O₅) with different aging time (3, 5 and 7 days) was prepared by sol-gel method. These synthesized glasses were analyzed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Whereas the bioactivity of the optimized samples were observed through in-vitro test using Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) at different soaking time (7 and 14 days). XRD results indicate that the crystalline patterns in gel-derived glass aged for 3 days exhibit stronger peaks compare to samples aged for 5 and 7 days. This could be attributed to the difference of water content inside the gels. Moreover, the peak at 2θ∼33° became sharper and more intense for longer soaking times corresponds to the apatite structure. Besides, in-vitro test shows, the formation of hydroxyl carbonated apatite layer (HCA) with finer grains. (paper)