Bioactivity of Zirconium-Substituted Nanobioactive Glass Particles

Abstract

In this study, zirconium substituted nanobioactive glass particles with compositions, namely, 58SiO₂‒33CaO‒9P₂O₅ and 58SiO₂‒28CaO‒9P₂O₅‒5ZrO₂ were synthesized using sol–gel method. The prepared samples were characterized before and after in vitro studies using different techniques namely X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The prepared samples reveal amorphous nature and spherical shape with an average particle size of less than 100 nm. Specific surface area of the samples found to be 90.69 and 81.20 m²g⁻¹, respectively, for without and with nano ZrO₂ metal oxides. The formation of hydroxyapatite layer on the surface of the glass during in vitro studies after 21 days of immersion in simulated body fluid on without ZrO₂ sample was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction pattern. Further, studies required for the optimization of the composition for need based applications, such as regenerative dentistry and bone implant.

Keywords:

• Bioactive glass
• dental application
• hydroxyapatite
• sol–gel, in vitro

Additional information

Funding

The authors acknowledge the financial assistance provided by Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi, to carry out this research project (SR/S2/CMP-0054/2009, dated 27.09.2010).