Biocide glass based on Nb2O5-SiO-CaO-Na2O system

• Glass of Nb2O5-SiO-CaO-Na2O system have been developed.
• A composition with higher contents of Nb2O5 presented biocide activity.
• Coefficient of thermal expansion indicate thermal compatibility with metal implants.

In this work, glasses based on SiO-CaO-Na2O system containing different Nb2O5 contents were developed. Glasses were melted at 1500 °C and quenched in a metallic mould. Citotoxicity tests were performed using neutral red uptake methodology and indicated normal cell growth, which enables the use as biomaterial. Biocide activity was evaluated through glass incubation in bacterial suspension (Escherichia coli) at 37 °C under shaking. The composition with higher content of SiO2 and lower content of Nb2O5 presented higher biocide activity and the coefficient of thermal expansion indicate thermal compatibility with stainless steel 316 L and titanium alloys.