Direct Probing of the Phosphate-Ion Distribution in Bioactive Silicate Glasses by Solid-State NMR: Evidence for Transitions between Random/Clustered Scenarios

By employing P-31 multiple-quantum coherence-based solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we present the first comprehensive experimental assessment of the nature of the orthophosphate ion distributions in silicate based bioactive glasses (BGs). Results are provided both from melt prepared BG and evaporation-induced self-assembly-derived mesoporous bioactive glass (MEBG) structures of distinct compositions. The phosphate species are randomly dispersed in melt-derived BGs (comprising 44-55 mol % SiO2) of the Na2O-CaO-SiO2-P2O5 system, whereas a Si-rich (86 mol % SiO2) and Ca-poor ordered MBG structure exhibits nanometer-sized amorphous calcium phosphate clusters, conservatively estimated to comprise at least nine orthophosphate groups. A Ca-richer MBG (58 mol % SiO2) reveals a less pronounced phosphate clustering. We rationalize the variable structural role of P in these amorphous biomatetials.