TITLE:
Sol-Gel Synthesis of SiO2-CaO-Na2O-P2O5 Bioactive Glass Ceramic from Sodium Metasilicate
AUTHORS:
Luqman A. Adams, Enobong R. Essien, Rafiu O. Shaibu, Aderemi Oki
KEYWORDS:
Bioative Glass; Sol-Gel; Crystalline; Sodium Metasilicate; Hydroxyapatite
JOURNAL NAME:
New Journal of Glass and Ceramics,
Vol.3 No.1,
January
29,
2013
ABSTRACT: Bioactive glass ceramic with SiO2-Ca2O-Na2O-P2O5 composition was prepared by the sol-gel method using sodium metasilicate (Na2SiO3) as silica source. The monolith obtained was sintered at 1000?C for 2 hours after which X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed presence of combeite (Na2Ca2Si3O9) as the crystalline phase. In vitro bioactivity test conducted on the material using simulated body fluid (SBF) showed the formation of carbonated hydroxyapatite on its surface. The material during the SBF test was observed to transform from a mechanically strong crystalline phase Na2Ca2Si3O9 to an amorphous phase after incubation for 14 days indicating that the material was biodegradable. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the surface morphology, while Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy facilitated the confirmation of hydroxyapatite (HA) formation. The monolith material obtained may be a good candidate for application in tissue engineering scaffolds.