Physicochemical degradation of titania-stabilized soluble phosphate glasses for medical applications

Four different formulations of phosphate glasses in the system P2O5-CaO-Na2O-TiO, were developed. Their physicochemical, morphologic, and structural evolution was analyzed during in vitro degradation in SBF (simulated body fluid) at 37degreesC up to 16 weeks. The results showed that the addition of TiO2 into the glass system enhanced both the elastic modulus and the chemical durability of the glasses. Indeed, the elastic modulus increased from 66.6 to 75.95 GPa and the weight loss percentage diminished from 1.6 % to 0.3 % with the addition of 8 mol% TiO2. A uniform and superficial degradation mechanism could be observed throughout the dissolution time by means of environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICPMS), and Raman spectroscopy. The degradation process undergone by these glasses allows them to maintain their mechanical properties during the degradation process. Therefore, these materials offer an interesting choice for slowly resorbable materials in biomedical applications.