Development of bioactive glass-ceramics

A bioactive glass-ceramic with rhenanite, NaCaPO4, was developed in the SiO2 Na2P - CaO - P2O5 - F system. Crystallization and microstructure were determined by room temperature X-ray diffraction (RT-XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods. The surface properties of the monolithic material and its surface reactivity were investigated after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 1 to 10 days. The layer that formed was identified as hydroxyapatite (HA) using surface-sensitive analytical methods. Ion exchange processes of Ca2+ and phosphate ions were determined. HA formed on the surface of the samples within 48 hours. An open-porous scaffold was prepared using the polymer sponge method. Based on the main results of the investigation, we conclude that rhenanite glass-ceramics possess very good bioactive properties.