Influence of Ag2O in Physico‐Chemical Properties and HAp Precipitation on Phosphate‐Based Glasses

Abstract

Phosphate‐based glass systems with different Ag2O contents 45P2O5–30CaO–(25‐x)Na2O–xAg2O (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0, hereafter termed, respectively, as PCNA0, PCNA0.25, PCNA0.5, PCNA0.75, and PCNA1) are prepared by keeping the ratio of P/Ca as 3.0. The influence of Ag2O on phosphate glass system is studied in terms of ultrasonic parameters, pH and in vitro studies. The structural role of Ag2O, i.e., loose packing of glass network is noticed up to 0.5 mol% of Ag2O content and then by an increase in packing density with further addition of Ag2O. The hydroxyapatite (HAp) forming ability of prepared glasses is carried through in vitro studies in simulated body fluid. The scanning electron microscopy images before and after in vitro studies show the formation of a low concentration of HAp in all glass surfaces except PCNA1, whereas a higher rate of formation of HAp is evidenced on PCNA1 glass sample. The Fourier Transform Infrared spectra and X‐ray Diffraction patterns that are observed support higher bioactivity on PCNA1 glass sample.