Thermal, surface, and structure analysis of molybdenum substituted bioactive glass ceramics SiO2-CaO- MoO3-P2O5

Abstract

This study explores the incorporation of molybdenum oxide (MoO3) as a dopant in SiO2-CaO-P2O5 (BGC) glass-ceramics through a meticulously designed sol-gel synthesis process to optimize properties for regenerative medicine applications. Comprehensive characterization techniques, including thermal analysis (TGA/DSC), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), elucidate the morphological and structural modifications induced by MoO3 doping. Results reveal that MoO3 affects the glass transition temperature, crystallization behavior, and surface morphology, leading to enhanced glass stability, crystallinity, and surface properties. The mechanical properties, such as fracture toughness, also significantly improved with MoO3 doping due to the formation of crystalline phases and densification of the material structure. Notably, the doping of MoO3 promotes the formation of CaMoO4 crystalline phases and influences the synthesis of hydroxyapatite—critical for bone tissue regeneration—when immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF). The study highlights the hydrophilic nature of the doped samples, facilitating bone development and cell adhesion, while also showing that increased MoO3 content reduces the rate of hydroxyapatite formation and material degradability. These findings demonstrate that MoO3 doping via the sol-gel method offers a promising approach for tailoring BGC glass-ceramics' properties, making them more suitable for regenerative medicine applications. This research underscores the potential of MoO3 in advancing biomaterial development for tissue engineering and implantology.