Preparation and characterization of bioactive sol-gel-derived Na₂Ca₂Si₃O₉

Abstract

In this study, pure Na₂Ca₂Si₃O₉ was synthesized by a sol-gel method, and Na₂Ca₂Si₃O₉ cuboids and disks were prepared by uniaxial pressing and calcining at 700 °C. The porosity and mechanical strength of the Na₂Ca₂Si₃O₉ cuboids were measured, and the results showed that the Na₂Ca₂Si₃O₉ cuboids were porous with an average porosity of 44%, and the 3-point bending strength of the cuboids was 6.08 MPa. The in vitro bioactivity of Na₂Ca₂Si₃O₉ was carried out by soaking Na₂Ca₂Si₃O₉ disks in simulated body fluid (SBF). The results showed that hydroxyapatite (HA) formed on the surface of Na₂Ca₂Si₃O₉ samples after soaking for 1 day, which indicated good bioactivity of Na₂Ca₂Si₃O₉.