Synthesis and in vitro bioactivity of CaO-SiO2-P2O5 mesoporous microspheres

In CaO-SiO2-P2O5 system, mesoporous bioactive microspheres with comparatively high P2O5 content (5 mol%-15 mol%) were successfully synthesized by co-templates of non-ionic block copolymer EO20-PO70-EO20 (P123) and cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), followed by hydrothermal and calcination treatment. The structural, morphological and textural properties were investigated by small-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscope and N-2 sorption/desorption techniques. Results showed that the obtained microspheres with a diameter of similar to 5 mu m exhibit hexagonal ordered and wormlike mesostructures with certain uniformity in size and morphology. This material has BJH pore size of similar to 7.3 nm and BET specific surface area of similar to 618 m(2)/g. Samples with 15 mol% P2O5 induce apatite formation on their surface after soaked in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution for 7 d. The bioactive mesoporous microspheres could be used as a drug carrier for bone repair in future. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.