Silicon nitride as a biomaterial

Three decades of research in the last century developed silicon nitride (Si3N4) as one of the strongest and toughest ceramic material for structural applications; but in this century, we newly discovered its gifted surface biochemistry. In an aqueous environment, Si3N4 undergoes surface hydrolysis w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the Ceramic Society of Japan 2023/08/01, Vol.131(8), pp.398-428
Main Author: Pezzotti, Giuseppe
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agronomy
Ammonia
Antibacterial
Antiviral
Aqueous environments
Bioceramics
Biochemistry
Biocompatible
Biomaterial
Biomedical materials
Elution
Environmental protection
Healing
Orthopedics
Silicon nitride
Surface chemistry
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Summary:Three decades of research in the last century developed silicon nitride (Si3N4) as one of the strongest and toughest ceramic material for structural applications; but in this century, we newly discovered its gifted surface biochemistry. In an aqueous environment, Si3N4 undergoes surface hydrolysis with the slow but continuous elution of both silicon and nitrogen. A unique environment is created, which greatly enhances healing of soft and osseous tissues, inhibits bacterial biofilm formation, and eradicates viruses. The discovery of Si3N4’s biochemistry opens new paths in a wide array of different disciplines inside and outside of the physical body, including orthopedics, dentistry, virology, agronomy, and environmental remediation. In the biomedical field, it paves the way for a new generation of monolithic, composite, or coated implants for bone healing, including spinal arthrodesis, joint arthroplasty, craniomaxillofacial and dental devices. This review describes Si3N4’s surface chemistry in an aqueous environment in comparison with oxide ceramics. It discusses the pH-dependent elution kinetics of ammonia and ammonium as the main phenomenon behind its unparalleled behavior and demonstrates its friendly nature to mammalian cells while concurrently lysing invasive pathogens. Finally, a wider perspective is offered for future applications of Si3N4 in disease diagnosis and therapies, personal healthcare, agriculture, food and water safety, and environmental protection.
ISSN:1882-0743
1348-6535
DOI:10.2109/jcersj2.23057