Characterization of Hybrid Materials Prepared by Sol-Gel Method for Biomedical Implementations. A Critical Review

The interaction between tissues and biomaterials (BM) has the purpose of improving and replacing anatomical parts of the human body, avoiding the occurrence of adverse reactions in the host organism. Unfortunately, the early failure of implants cannot be currently avoided, since neither a good mixture of mechanical and chemical characteristics of materials nor their biocompatibility has been yet achieved. Bioactive glasses are recognized to be a fine class of bioactive substances for good repair and replacement. BM interact with living bones through the formation of a hydroxyapatite surface layer that is analogous to bones. Bioglasses' composition noticeably affects their biological properties, as does the synthesis method, with the best one being the versatile sol-gel technique, which includes the change of scheme from a 'sol' fluid into a 'gel'. This process is widely used to prepare many materials for biomedical implants (e.g., hip and knee prostheses, heart valves, and ceramic, glassy and hybrid materials to serve as carriers for drug release). Nanoparticles prepared by the sol-gel method are interesting systems for biomedical implementations, and particularly useful for cancer therapy. This review provides many examples concerning the synthesis and characterization of the above-mentioned materials either taken from literature and from recently prepared zirconia/polyethylene glycol (PEG) hybrids, and the corresponding results are extensively discussed.

Automated summary

The interaction between tissues and biomaterials aims to improve and replace anatomical parts of the human body, but early implant failure remains a challenge due to the lack of optimal mechanical and chemical characteristics and biocompatibility. Bioactive glasses are recognized as fine substances for repair and replacement, interacting with living bones through the formation of a hydroxyapatite layer. The composition and synthesis method of bioglasses significantly affect their biological properties, with the sol-gel technique being the preferred method for preparing materials for various biomedical implants and applications, including nanoparticle systems for cancer therapy.