By employing 31P multiple-quantum coherence-based solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we present the first comprehensive experimental assessment of the nature of the orthophosphate-ion distributions in silicate-based bioactive glasses (BGs). Results are provided both from melt-prepared BG and evaporation-induced self-assembly-derived mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) structures of distinct compositions. The phosphate species are randomly dispersed in melt-derived BGs (comprising 44–55 mol % SiO2) of the Na2O–CaO–SiO2–P2O5 system, whereas a Si-rich (86 mol % SiO2) and Ca-poor ordered MBG structure exhibits nanometer-sized amorphous calcium phosphate clusters, conservatively estimated to comprise at least nine orthophosphate groups. A Ca-richer MBG (58 mol % SiO2) reveals a less pronounced phosphate clustering. We rationalize the variable structural role of P in these amorphous biomaterials.

The aim was to determine the most effective calcium precursor for synthesis of sol-gel hybrids and for improving homogeneity of sol-gel bioactive glasses. Sol-gel derived bioactive calcium silicate glasses are one of the most promising materials for bone regeneration. Inorganic/organic hybrid materials, which are synthesized by incorporating a polymer into the sol-gel process, have also recently been produced to improve toughness. Calcium nitrate is conventionally used as the calcium source, but it has several disadvantages. Calcium nitrate causes inhomogeneity by forming calcium-rich regions, and it requires high temperature treatment (>400 °C) for calcium to be incorporated into the silicate network. Nitrates are also toxic and need to be burnt off. Calcium nitrate therefore cannot be used in the synthesis of hybrids as the highest temperature used in the process is typically 40-60 °C. Therefore, a different precursor is needed that can incorporate calcium into the silica network and enhance the homogeneity of the glasses at low (room) temperature. In this work, calcium methoxyethoxide (CME) was used to synthesize sol-gel bioactive glasses with a range of final processing temperatures from 60 to 800 °C. Comparison is made between the use of CME and calcium chloride and calcium nitrate. Using advanced probe techniques, the temperature at which Ca is incorporated into the network was identified for 70S30C (70 mol % SiO(2), 30 mol % CaO) for each of the calcium precursors. When CaCl(2) was used, the Ca did not seem to enter the network at any of the temperatures used. In contrast, Ca from CME entered the silica network at room temperature, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction, (29)Si magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and dissolution studies. CME should be used in preference to calcium salts for hybrid synthesis and may improve homogeneity of sol-gel glasses.

Silicate-based bioactive glasses exhibit bone-bonding properties due to the formation of a hydroxy-carbonate apatite (HCA) layer at the glass surface on its contact with living tissues.This bone-healing process is triggered by ionic exchange between the glass and the surrounding fluids and thereby depends on the glass composition. In this work, the HCA formation from three mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) of different compositions immersed in a simulated body fluid (SBF) was monitored for variable time intervals between 15 minutes to 30 days. By utilizing two independent assessment techniques, solid-state 31 P NMR spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), we report the first quantitative assessment of the HCA growth (i.e., "in vitro bioactivity") from a bioactive glass: both techniques allow for monitoring the crystallization of the amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) precursor into HCA, i.e., a profile of the relative ACP/HCA fractions of the biomimetic phosphate layer formed at each MBG surface and SBF-exposure period. The amount of HCA present in each solid specimen after the SBF treatment, as well as the composition of the remaining cation-depleted MBG phase, was determined from PXRD data in conjunction with measured concentrations of Ca, Si and P in the solution. In contrast with previous findings from in vitro bioactivity assessments of the same MBG compositions, the HCA formation is herein observed to increase concurrently with the Ca and P contents of the MBG; these apparently different composition-bioactivity observations stem from a significantly lower MBG-loading in the SBF solution utilized herein. The results are discussed in relation to the general task of performing bioactivity testing in SBF, where we highlight the importance of adapting the concentration of the biomaterial to its composition to avoid perturbing the HCA crystallization and thereby altering the outcome of the test.2 An EISA procedure 4 was employed to prepare three MBG specimens of nominal molar compositions 10CaO-90SiO 2 , 10CaO-85SiO 2 -5P 2 O 5 , and 37CaO-58SiO 2 -5P 2 O 5 (see Table 1). Each of Si, P, and Ca was incorporated by using precursors of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), triethyl phosphate (TEP) and Ca(NO 3 ) 2 ·4H 2 O, respectively. non ionic P123 triblock copolymer as structure-directing agent and other conditions as described in detail in ref. 7 The resulting homogeneous membranes were heated at 700 • C for 6 h to remove organic species and nitrate ions. In Vitro Studies and Composition AnalysesAn SBF solution was prepared according to Kokubo et al. 27 by dissolving NaCl, KCl, NaHCO 3 , K 2 HPO 4 ·3H 2 O, MgCl 2 ·6H 2 O, CaCl 2 , and Na 2 SO 4 into distilled water. It was buffered at pH=7.38 by using tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane/HCl (TRIS/HCl) and subsequently passed through 0.22 µm Millipore filters to avoid bacterial contamination. 600 mg of each pristine MBG sample in the form of a fine powder (<20 µm particles) was immersed in 1.000 L of SBF in a sealed polyethylene container placed in an Ecotron ...

Owing to their diverse range of highly tailorable material properties, inorganic/organic hybrids have the potential to meet the needs of biodegradable porous scaffolds across a range of tissue engineering applications. One such hybrid platform, the silica-gelatin sol-gel system, was examined and developed in this study. These hybrid scaffolds exhibit covalently linked interpenetrating networks of organic and inorganic components, which allows for independent control over their mechanical and degradation properties. A combination of the sol-gel foaming process and freeze drying was used to create an interconnected pore network. The synthesis and processing of the scaffolds has many variables that affect their structure and properties. The focus of this study was to develop a matrix tool that shows the inter-relationship between process variables by correlating the key hybrid material properties with the synthesis parameters that govern them. This was achieved by investigating the effect of the organic (gelatin) molecular weight and collating previously reported data.Control of molecular weight of the polymer is as an avenue that allows the modification of hybrid material properties without changing the surface chemistry of the material, which is a factor that governs the cell and tissue interaction with the scaffold. This presents a significant step forward in understanding the complete potential of the silica-gelatin hybrid system as a medical device.