Processing and properties of sol-gel bioactive glasses

TLDR

Melt‑derived 45S5 Bioglass has been studied for over 25 years, and recent sol‑gel processing has produced porous bioactive glasses with higher surface area to enhance surface reactivity, degradability, and bone regeneration. This study examines the processing and properties of sol‑gel bioactive glasses and introduces a new drying method and treatment to produce homogeneous particulate and monoliths at production scale. The new drying method and treatment involve controlled dehydration and surface modification steps that yield uniform particulate and monolith structures suitable for large‑scale production.

Abstract

Melt derived 45S5 Bioglass(R) has been studied for more than 25 years. Bioglass(R) has excellent biocompatibility, and its surface reactivity has contributed to its clinical success over the past 10 years. Recently, porous bioactive glasses have been derived through sol-gel processing in an attempt to increase the specific surface area, and, thus, the surface reactivity and degradability of the material. This allows the material to be replaced ultimately by natural tissue while it stimulates bone regeneration. In this work, the processing and properties of these sol-gel bioactive glasses are discussed, and a new drying method and treatment is described to make homogeneous particulate and monoliths on a production scale.