Core–shell glass fibers with high bioactivity and good flexibility

In this investigation, electrospun silica fibers were utilized as template for growth of microporous bioactive glass to form composite submicron fibers. The as-synthesized fibers are core–shell structured with a condensed silica core and a microporous bioactive glass shell. Specific surface area, total pore volume and average pore size of the fibers are measured to be 449.7 m2/g, 0.232 cm3/g and 1.7 nm, respectively. Benefiting from the microporous bioactive glass shell and the condensed silica core, the compound glass fiber here shows both high bioactivity and good flexibility, which promises great potential for many biomedical applications, including tooth repairing, hard-tissue engineering and cell culturing, etc.

► Submicron-diameter mesoporous bioactive glass was successfully prepared.
► The glass fiber here was prepared with electrospinning and modified Stöber method.
► The glass fiber was composed with condensed SiO2 core and mesopour bioactive glass shell.
► The core–shell glass fiber possesses both high bioactivity and good flexibility.