Imaging physicochemical reactions occurring at the pore surface in binary bioactive glass foams by micro ion beam analysis

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2010 Jun;2(6):1737-42. doi: 10.1021/am1002316.

Abstract

In this work, the physicochemical reactions occurring at the surface of bioactive sol-gel derived 3D glass scaffolds via a complete PIXE characterization were studied. 3D glass foams in the SiO(2)-CaO system were prepared by sol-gel route. Samples of glass scaffolds were soaked in biological fluids for periods up to 2 days. The surface changes were characterized using particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) associated to Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), which are efficient methods to perform quantitative chemical maps. Elemental maps of major and trace elements at the glass/biological fluids interface were obtained at the micrometer scale for every interaction time. Results revealed interconnected macropores and physicochemical reactions occurring at the surface of pores. The micro-PIXE-RBS characterization of the pores/biological fluids interface shows the glass dissolution and the rapid formation of a Ca rich layer with the presence of phosphorus that came from biological fluids. After 2 days, a calcium phosphate-rich layer containing magnesium is formed at the surface of the glass scaffolds. We demonstrate that quantities of phosphorus provided only by the biological medium have a significant impact on the development and the formation of the phosphocalcic layer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Body Fluids
  • Calcium / chemistry
  • Calcium Compounds / chemistry
  • Chemistry, Physical / methods*
  • Glass
  • Humans
  • Ions*
  • Materials Testing
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / methods
  • Oxides / chemistry
  • Phase Transition
  • Phosphorus / chemistry
  • Porosity
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Calcium Compounds
  • Ions
  • Oxides
  • Phosphorus
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • lime
  • Calcium