Synthesis of nano-bioactive glass–ceramic powders and its in vitro bioactivity study in bovine serum albumin protein

Bioactive glasses and ceramics have proved to be able to chemically bond to living bone due to the formation of an apatite-like layer on its surface. The aim of this work was preparation and characterization of bioactive glass–ceramic by sol–gel method. Nano-bioglass–ceramic material was crushed into powder and its bioactivity was examined in vitro with respect to the ability of hydroxyapatite layer to form on the surface as a result of contact with bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein. The obtained nano-bioactive glass–ceramic was analyzed before and after contact with BSA solution. This study used scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis to examine its morphology, crystallinity and composition. The TEM images showed that the NBG particles size were 10–40 nm. Bioactivity of nanopowder was confirmed by SEM and XRD due to the presence of a rich bone-like apatite layer. Therefore, this nano-BSA-bioglass–ceramic composite material is promising for medical applications such as bone substitutes and drug carriers.

► Synthesis of nano bioactive glass-ceramic powders by sol–gel method. ► β-tricalcium phosphate and pseudowollastonite are the main phases in the bioglass-ceramic samples. ► In vitro bioactivity study of synthesized powders in bovine serum albumin protein. ► Hydroxyapatite layer on the surface of synthesized glass–ceramic as a result of contact with bovine serum albumin protein.