Antibacterial and bioactive silver-containing Na2O • CaO • 2SiO2 glass prepared by sol-gel method

The antibacterial effect of addition of silver oxide to Na2O.CaO.2SiO(2) glass have been studied. Silver containing and silver free Na2O.CaO.2SiO(2) glasses have been prepared by sol-gel synthesis using tetramethil orthosilicate, sodium ethoxide, calcium nitrate tetrahydrate and silver nitrate as starting materials and methyl ethyl ketone as solvent. The gel was examined by differential thermal analysis, thermo gravimetric analysis, FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Antibacterial and bioactive tests on gel glass powders, obtained after a heat treatment of 2 h at 600degreesC of the dried gel, were carried out. High antimicrobial effects of samples against Escherichia coli and Streptococcus mutans were found. FTIR measurements and SEM micrographs have ascertained the formation of a hydroxyapatite layer on the surface of samples soaked in a simulated body fluid for different times. (C) 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers.