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This article reports a novel, simple route for synthesis of sol-gel derived porous, bioactive glass ( BG) microspheres using chitosan ( CTS) as a biomolecular template in the acid-catalyzed sol-gel process. The use of CTS, which is a natural biocompatible polymer with a unique molecular structure, allowed the synthesis of BG microparticles with a spherical shape, 5-10 μm in size. Furthermore, pores with a size of 5-40 nm were created entirely throughout BG microspheres, which were formed by removing the network of CTS present initially in the CTS-BG composite microparticles via heat-treatment at 600°C for 2 h. These porous BG microspheres induced the vigorous precipitation of apatite crystals on their surface when immersed in simulated body fluid for 24 h, thus suggesting their excellent bioactivity . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study investigated the effect of the addition of sol–gel derived nanoscale bioactive glass (NBG) particles on the mechanical properties and biological performances of PCL polymer, in order to evaluate the potential applications of PCL/NBG composites for bone tissue regeneration. Regardless of the NBG contents (10, 20, and 30wt.%), the NBG particles, which were synthesized through the sol–gel process using polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer as a template, could be uniformly dispersed in the PCL matrix, while generating pores in the PCL/NBG composites. The elastic modulus of the PCL/NBG composites increased remarkably from 89±11MPa to 383±50MPa with increasing NBG content from 0 to 30wt.%, while still showing good ultimate tensile strength in the range of 15–19MPa. The hydrophilicity, water absorption and degradation behavior of the PCL/NBG composites were also enhanced by the addition of the NBG particles. Furthermore, the PCL/NBG composite with a NBG content of 30wt.% showed significantly enhanced in vitro bioactivity and cellular response compared to those of the pure PCL. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]