Natural K-feldspars from igneous rocks have been examined by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in the spectral

No abstract

No abstract

In most biphasic composite systems consisting of sol-gel derived bioactive glass and a second system that is usually used as a reinforcing agent, thorough stirring is necessary to prevent the precipitation of the grains of the second system. Consequently, the aim of this work is to investigate the impact of various stirring rates on the crystallinity and bioactivity of a bioactive glass in the system 58S. Sol-gel-derived bioactive glass (58S) was produced as described in literature. During the gelation, stirring rates of 0, 200, 400, 600 and 800 rpms were applied producing, respectively, the corresponding glass powders. The in vitro bioactivity of the powders was tested in Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) for various immersion times, while the solution was renewed after 6h, 24h and then every 2 days. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffractometry (XRD) were used to characterize all materials before and after immersion in SBF solution. FTIR and XRD measurements of all powders revealed mainly the formation of an amorphous glass, while the main crystalline phase was identified to be Ca2SiO4. After immersion in SBF solution for 12h, SEM microphotographs revealed apatite formation on the surface of all samples, while FTIR and XRD confirmed the aforementioned findings. Furthermore, since EDS analysis proved a mean molar Ca/P ratio of about1.7 after 6 days of immersion of all samples- besides those stirred at 400 and 600rpm- it can be assumed that a thick apatite layer was formed covering the whole surface.

Scaffold-based tooth engineering is currently the most popular approach towards replacing dental tissues or even engineering a bio-tooth. Although, various scaffold materials have been employed in tooth regeneration, the scaffold-based tooth design has, until now, achieved only limited success. Recently, bioactive Mg-based ceramics have attracted interest as Mg plays an important role on skeletal metabolism and affects the quality and structure of hard dental tissues. Mg has been reported to improve the mechanical properties of calcium phosphate ceramics, control biodegradation rate and stabilize the cell-material interface improving cell attachment and growth. The aim of this study was the development of an experimental Mg-based ceramic material, with enhanced bioactivity and adequate mechanical properties, in order to be potentially used in dental tissue regeneration. The Mg-based ceramic was prepared by the sol-gel method, while the stabilization was performed at 1300, 1400 and 1450oC in order a fully crystalline material to be obtained. The characterization of the materials -before and after immersion is Simulated Body Fluid (SBF)- was performed by Fourier Tranform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy associated with an EDS analyzer (SEM-EDS), while the flexural strength of uniaxially pressed pellets was measured using a universal testing machine for 3- point bending tests (Instron 3344). FTIR spectra and XRD patterns of all powder samples before immersion in SBF solution confirmed the presence of three crystalline phases; akermanite, merwinite and diopside. The onset of apatite formation on the surface of all powders was observed even after three days of immersion, while the apatite formation on the surface of the sintered pellets was slightly delayed. Flexural strength values were in the range of 30Mpa. In conclusion, Mg-based glass-ceramics attain adequate mechanical integrity and high rate of bioactivity and could be potentially used in the construction of ceramic scaffolds for dental tissue regeneration.