Silicon substituted calcium phosphate based bioceramic scaffolds

The theoretical part of this bachelor thesis summarizes the current state of knowledge of bioceramic materials based on calcium, phosphorus and silicon. More specifically, it focuses on calcium phosphates, the demands placed on them, the porosity of 3D foams, and biological properties such as biodegradation and bioactivity. 3D bioceramic calcium phosphate foam doped with silicon appears to be a suitable material for use in biomedical applications. It is the silicon that plays a role in the development of healthy bone and the formation of new tissue. Silicon substitutions are important in the field of investigation because they improve the bioassay of phosphate calcium. In the experimental part, calcium phosphate powders were first prepared by the hydroxyapatite and silica fusion reaction. Selected powder contents were 0; 0.1; 1, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 wt.% SiO2. The samples were sintered at 1100 °C, 1200 °C and 1300 °C. The second part consisted in the preparation of 3D foams by direct penetration with polyurethane and the subsequent characteristics of phase composition, solubility and bioactivity. Bioceramic foams had a highly porous structure. For 42 days, sample behavior in Tris-HCl and simulated body fluid (SBF) was monitored. The results of the experiment have shown that the samples are bioactive and silicon substitution increases phosphate calcium solubility. Therefore, these materials are potentially useful for biomedical application