Development of bioactive silicate-based glass-ceramics from preceramic polymer and fillers

Wollastonite/apatite glass-ceramics have been successfully prepared by a novel approach, consisting of the heat treatment of a silicone resin embedding micro-sized CaCO3 particles, that act as reactive fillers, and bioactive glass powder in the SiO2–CaO–P2O5–K2O–Na2O–MgO–CaF2 system. Zn-containing silicates, such as hardystonite (Ca2ZnSi2O7) and willemite (Zn2SiO4), were also developed either by directly mixing ZnO powders with the glass, or by embedding them in the preceramic polymer, as additional fillers.