Homogeneous Ag2O–2P2O5–CaO–GeO2 glass formation, structural and in vitro studies

Abstract

Abstract A series of vitreous samples from the system xAg2O·(100 − x)[2P2O5·CaO·0.05GeO2] where x values vary from 0 to 10 mol% were prepared and investigated through infrared and Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).The homogeneous vitreous character of the samples was confirmed by both X-ray diffraction and SEM measurements through all compositional range. FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy revealed a local network structure mainly based on Q1, Q2 and Q3 tetrahedrons connected by P–O–P linkages. A gradual depolymerization of the phosphate chains was observed with the addition of the silver oxide.The surface structure of sample having the highest concentration of silver oxide (10 mol%) has been studied in vitro by immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) at 37 °C. Different spectroscopic techniques (X-ray diffraction, SEM, FT-IR and Raman) are proving extremely efficient for in situ monitoring of structural changes of this sample reacting with SBF.