Characterization, bioactivity, and antimicrobial activity of CuO-containing devitrite glass-ceramic

Bioactive glass-ceramic was prepared from devitrite (Na2Ca3Si6O16) glass. Limestone and sodium carbonate were used as starting materials. The prepared materials were characterized by different techniques (DTA-Thin film XRD- FTIR- SEM/EDX). Moreover, in vitro degradation studies, bioactivity in simulated body fluid (SBF), and antimicrobial effects against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria were also investigated. Material characterization reveals that the sintering process of the glasses displayed the crystallization of both pseudowollastonite and devitrite. Moreover, the photomicrographs showed interlocked rods and some accumulated irregular leaf-like crystals at nanometer thickness. The bioactivity results revealed that all samples could form a hydroxyapatite layer either after 2 or 4 weeks in SBF. Furthermore, the microstructure indicated accumulated round clusters containing nanoparticles of hydroxyapatite. Likewise, the increase in densities supports the formation of hydroxyapatite on the sample surfaces after soaking in SBF. The antibacterial results illustrated that all samples had antibacterial properties against the tested bacteria. However, the sample containing more copper had a significantly higher antibacterial effect than the other two samples.

Automated summary

Bioactive glass-ceramic was prepared from devitrite (Na2Ca3Si6O16) glass and characterized by different techniques. The material showed good bioactivity and antibacterial properties, indicating its potential application value.