Facile and Economic Preparation of SiO2-CaO-K2O-SrO-P2O5 Bioactive Glass-Ceramic Using Sodium Metasilicate

Bioactivity and biodegradability are among the key indices used to identify an ideal material for use as an implant in bone regeneration. Sr-doped bioactive glasses and ceramics have attracted a lot of research attention because they induce hydroxyapatite (HA) formation and stimulate high cellular responses. In the system K2O-CaO-SiO2-SrO-P2O5 , a bioactive glass-ceramic was synthesized as the aim of the current investigation wherein the traditional Na2O component was replaced by K2O to prevent the formation of Na2Ca2Si3O9 crystals upon devitrification. As a less expensive alternative to alkoxysilane silica precursors, sodium metasilicate was used to prepare the glass-ceramic utilizing the solution precipitation method. The diffraction pattern of the sintered glass revealed the formation of different strontium and silicate-based crystalline phases. The glass was tested for in vitro bioactivity in simulated body fluid (SBF) for a maximum of 14 days, and the results showed that the glass changed from crystalline to amorphous phases while promoting the development of HA on the sample surface. The Sr-bioactive glass-ceramic prepared herein via a simple process shows potential as a candidate material in bone grafting and can be upscaled for commercial production.