Synthesis of nanosized 58S bioactive glass particles by a three-dimensional ordered macroporous carbon template

Nanosized 58S bioactive glass (BG) particles were synthesized by using a three-dimensional ordered macroporous carbon template (OMC) with a pore size of 400 nm. The obtained 58S BG particles possessed a diameter of 300 nm, narrow size distribution and uniform spherical morphology. 58S/gelatin composites were prepared and showed much better mechanical properties than pure gelatin. The narrow size distribution of the 58S particles replicated from OMC was confirmed crucial to the mechanical properties of the 58S/gelatin composite, comparing to the contrast sample prepared with polydispersed particles. The outstanding bioactivity of the 58S BG particles was confirmed by inducing the formation of carbonated hydroxyapatite on the 58S/gelatin composite surface. This work showed a successful example that OMC template could be used to synthesize particles requiring a robust reaction condition, and a particle synthesis method that could well control particle size distribution was important for preparing materials with outstanding mechanical properties.