An Original Method to Assess Short-Term Physicochemical Reactions at the Periphery of Bioactive Glass Particles in Biological Fluids

• Published in: Langmuir 2001-07, Vol.17 (15), p.4467-4470
• Main Authors: Jallot, E., Benhayoune, H., Kilian, L., Josset, Y., Balossier, G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0743-7463; 1520-5827
• DOI: 10.1021/la001669m

In this study, we analyze short-term physicochemical reactions at the interface between bioactive glass particles and biological fluids. The chemical analysis is performed under a micrometer scale by scanning transmission electron microscopy associated to energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. However, microanalysis of diffusible ions such as sodium, potassium, or oxygen requires cryomethods for the specimen preparation and for its characterization. These techniques permit retention of all elements at their in vitro location. After 1 day of immersion in biological fluids, results demonstrate the formation of three surface layers (thickness of each layer ≈400 nm) at the bioactive glass periphery. The presence of a Si−Al rich layer permits the diffusion and the formation of a Ca−P−Mg rich layer. The third layer is composed of Na−O and can be considered as an exchanged layer between Na+ ions and H+ or H3O+ from the solution.