Bioactive Glasses Based on SiO2-CaO-Na2O-P2O5-ZrO2 System: Effects of ZrO2 on the Glass Structure, Solubility and Mineral Precipitation in Simulated Body Fluid
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Zirconia (ZrO2) containing bioactive glasses (BG’s) have been synthesized to determine their influence on the structure of a 0.56SiO2–0.15Na2O-0.25CaO-0.04P2O5 glass and the resulting solubility within a hydrated environment. In this study, the SiO2 content was directly substituted with 0.04 ZrO4 (Mol. Fr.) and structural analysis of the Control and Zr-Glasses was conducted using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Magic Angle Spinning-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (MAS-NMR). These techniques indicate that the overall network connectivity (NC) of the glass increases with ZrO2/SiO2 substitution, suggesting that ZrO2 acts predominantly as a network former in the glass structure. The ion release profiles of the glasses incubated in de-ionized water from 1 to 1000 h showed decreased dissolution rates for the Zr-containing glasses. The in vitro bioactivity of glasses tested in Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) showed calcium phosphate (CaP) formation on the surface of all glasses after 100–1000 h incubation; however, the Zr-glass experienced delayed CaP precipitation compared to the Zr-free Control.
Source: Applied Sciences
DOI: 10.3390/app16031642
Institution: Alfred University
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
OpenAlex ID: W7128025754