Bioglass 45S5 Doped with Zirconium Dioxide: Preparation and Properties

AbstractA method for synthesis of bioactive glass and glass ceramics by doping Bioglass 45S5 with zirconium dioxide has been proposed. The method is based on pyrolysis of a mixture of organic solutions containing sodium oleate, calcium oleate, tetraethoxysilane, tributyl phosphate, and zirconyl oleate. Doping in a wide range (5–60 wt % ZrO2) has been employed. Effect of zirconium dioxide on glass properties has been studied by X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray electron spectroscopy, extremal solutions, and immersion in SBF. The doping has been found to change physical and chemical properties of Bioglass 45S5. X-ray amorphous state and reduced chemical solubility retain on increase in zirconium dioxide content in glass up to 10 wt %. Doping above 10 wt % partially removes sodium and silicon from glass network to insoluble crystalline phase, which enhances chemical solubility of resultant glass ceramics. No loss of bioactive properties of the material has been observed in this case. A method for preparing dense glass ceramics based on ZrO2 has been proposed, where Bioglass 45S5 behaves as a bioactive phase. The material shows strength >450 MPa and can be used in reconstructive surgery as loadable implants.