In vitro characterisation of phosphosilicate and silicate glasses doped with zinc oxide

It has been shown for various types of glasses and glass-ceramic that the essential condition for them to bond to living bone is the formation of an apatite layer on their surface in the body. Here, the in vitro bioactivity of phosphosilicate and silicate glasses doped with zinc ion has been evaluated. The bioactivity of the glasses was tested by soaking them into a simulated body fluid (SBF) at 37. The soln./glass interface was investigated by SEM to check morphol. modifications: the apatite layer formation was monitored by means of XRD and IR measurements. The degrdn. kinetics of doped glasses has been decelerated. Zinc ion was detected on the reacted surface and its simultaneous presence with calcium and phosphorous atoms could indicate a formation of a mixed zinc-calcium-contg. phase.