Bioactive pyrophosphate glass/beta-tricalcium phosphate composite with high mechanical properties

A composition of phosphate glass was incorporated into the beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) ceramic by a weight ratio of 10% aiming to study the effects of the phosphate glass on the mechanical and biological properties of beta-TCP matrix. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the phase composition of the phosphate glass was in the pyrophosphate region which consisted of Na(4)P(2)O(7) and beta-Ca(2)P(2)O(7) (beta-DCP) phases. Density and bending strength assessment had been conducted and the results showed that the pyrophosphate glass/beta-TCP (PG/beta-TCP) system presents a high mechanical properties. The biological characteristics of the composite had been evaluated by means of in vivo testing and in vitro testing. Leaf-like particles with Ca/P molar ratio of 1.46 was observed under electron microscopy (SEM) after soaking for 5 days on the surface of composite but no similar structure was detected on the surface of pure beta-TCP. Osteoblast-like cells 3T3-E1 were seeded onto the PG/beta-TCP composite and pure beta-TCP matrix. MTT results show that the composite is non-toxic and biocompatible and furthermore, the living cell number adhered on the surface of matrixes reveals that the addition of pyrophosphate glass can significantly facilitate cells adhesion. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.