Synthesis, characterization, and in vitro bioactivity of sol-gel-derived Zn, Mg, and Zn-Mg co-doped bioactive glasses

Bioactive glasses in the systems CaO-SiO₂-P₂O₅-ZnO, CaO-SiO₂-P₂O₅-MgO, and CaO-SiO₂-P₂O₅-MgO-ZnO were prepared and characterized. Bioactive glass powders were produced by the sol-gel method. The prepared bioactive glass powders were immersed in a simulated body fluid (SBF) for periods of up to 28 days at 310 K to investigate the bioactivity of the produced samples. Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopic techniques were used to detect changes in the SBF composition. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) was utilized to recognize and confirm the formation of a hydroxyapatite (HA) layer on the bioactive glass powders. Microstructural characterizations of the bioactive glass samples were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Density, porosity, and surface area values of bioactive glass powders were also determined in order to characterize the textural properties of the samples. The results revealed the growth of an HA layer on the surface of the bioactive glass samples. MgO in the glass sample increases the rate of formation of an HA layer while ZnO in the glass slows it down.