Copper-releasing, borate-based glasses with antibacterial properties: synthesis and in vitro characterization

Abstract

In this study, glasses within the system (60-x) B2O3⋅x ZnO⋅34CaO⋅1CuO, with x=5, 10, 15, 20, 25 mol% and with B2O3/ZnO ratios 11; 5; 3; 2; 1.4 have been synthesized and characterized in vitro. After being immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) and saline solution, weight loss reduction and pH measurments, followed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectometry (ICP-OES), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were performed, in order to evaluate the changes in glass morphology. In vitro biodegradation and surface reaction were observed in all of the glasses, especially in the x=10, 15, 20 samples. SEM and XRD results revealed the presence of a hydrotalcite-like structure (double layered hydroxid) at the aqueous solution-glass surface interface, while Cu, Zn, Ca and B ions, with proangiogenic properties, were detected in the immersion fluid.