Study of nano bioactive glass for use as bone biomaterial comparison with micro bioactive glass behaviour

International audienceThis research is based on the study of bioactivity kinetic in function of the glass particles size. Bioactive glasses have been elaborated in the ternary system SiO2-CaO-P2O5. Nano bioactive glass and micro bioactive glass have been synthesized by using two different processes. They are destined for use as bone biomaterials. The comparison was focused on the kinetic of the development of a calcium phosphate layer on their surfaces after immersion in a Simulated Body Fluid (SBF). The first bioactive glass BG is a melting-made glass with a particles size of about 60 μm. The second bioactive glass NBG is a sol-gel made glass through an emulsion system of synthesized particles of about 110 nm. The growing of the calcium phosphate layer at the surface of the glasses has been followed using several physicochemical techniques. Obtained results show the development of a calcium phosphate layer similar to carbonated hydroxyapatite. It crystallises in a hexagonal system with an P63/m space group. While melting-made glass needs 14 days to develop carbonated hydroxyapatite like crystal, sol-gel needs only 3 days to develop similar crystals. This difference offers wide opportunities and complementarities for the use of nano or micro bioactive glasses in the biomedical field. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd