Microstructural development and in vitro bioactivity of luminescent Eu doped monticellite based ceramics as multifunctional bone graft substitutes

In the present study, the effects of Eu content and sintering temperature on microstructural development and in vitro bioactive characteristic of Eu-doped monticellite-based ceramics prepared using boron derivative waste were investigated. Spherical closed porosities with a diameter below 20 mu m were observed on cross-section of all ceramics. The increment of Eu content from 1% to 10% resulted in narrower size distribution of closed porosities. The increasing of sintering temperature from 900 degrees C to 1000 degrees C allowed amorphisation of crystalline phases and the replacement of them into porosities. In vitro bone-like apatite formation ability altered by surface feature and sintering temperature, regardless of Eu content. The ceramics sintered at 1000 degrees C for 2 h have desired bioactive response allowing formation of dense bone-like apatite layer on the surface. Therefore, 10% Eu-doped monticellite-based ceramics achieved in an eco-friendly route have potential to be used as multifunctional bone graft substitutes for biolabeling applications.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effects of Eu content and sintering temperature on the microstructural development and in vitro bioactive characteristic of Eu-doped monticellite-based ceramics prepared using boron derivative waste. The results showed that increasing Eu content resulted in narrower size distribution of closed porosities, while increasing sintering temperature led to the amorphisation of crystalline phases and the formation of porosities. Surface feature and sintering temperature influenced the in vitro bone-like apatite formation ability regardless of Eu content. Ceramics sintered at 1000 degrees C for 2 h exhibited desired bioactive response with the formation of a dense bone-like apatite layer on the surface.