Synthesis of sol-gel derived glass powder and in vitro bioactivity property tested in simulated body fluid.

The objective of this study is to determine the apatite forming ability of sol-gel derived glass based on chemical composition 50%(SiO2)-40%(CaO)-10%(PO4) by examine the reacted sample surface after soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF). The glass was synthesized via an acid catalyzed low temperature sol-gel route, dried, crushed and uniaxial pressed into pellets before finally heated at 600°C to maintain the amorphous nature and to obtain stabilized glass pellets. The bioactivity test of the glass was carried out in vitro by soaking the pellets into simulated body fluid (SBF) for various times up to 14 days. It was revealed that apatite-like structures were rapidly formed on the surface of the glass showed by the glass surface was totally covered with these crystallized apatite within the first 24 hours of immersion. The formation of crystallized carbonated apatite (HCA) was proved within the first 24 hours of immersion via XRD, FTIR and FE-SEM analysis method. Increased in immersion time period to 14 days was significantly effects in enlargement of the apatite particle sizes and transformation these apatite into a typical coral-like apatite structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]