A novel borate-based 45S5 Bioglass®: In vitro assessment in phosphate-buffered saline solution

Abstract

A novel borate-based 45S5 Bioglass® has been formulated and synthesized using the melt-quenching method. The in vitro assessment was performed to determine the bioactivity of the glasses using phosphate buffer saline (PBS) as an immersion solution. The pH measurement is performed using a pH meter, while ion dissolution is quantified using Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). The immersion of borate-containing glass exhibits pH closes to human body fluid (≈7.40). The (Ca/P) atomic ratio was calculated and its value increased (1.7–4.0) along with borate contents, indicating improved bioactivity. The alteration of glass structure after the in vitro test is inspected using attenuated total reflectance sensor–Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (ATR-FTIR) and Raman spectrometer. The 45S5 Bioglass that comprised 40–80% of borate showed the appearance of HPO42− a vibration band which specifies the growth of hydroxyapatite (HPA) after the in vitro test. Relative to 45S5 Bioglass®, glass labeled 0.4B2O3 displayed the highest potential of HPA growth (248%), while dissolving BO3 and BO4 units at 57.36 and 8.48%, respectively. The new formulation technique offers an alternative path to control the degradation behavior of 45S5 Bioglass® glass by modifying the ratio of borate constituent. The prepared glass may find its potential in soft-bone tissue engineering applications.