Improving the physical and optical characteristics of Zinc doped borate glass for bone replacement

Abstract

Abstract The presented study explores the potential of zinc-doped modified borate glass as a biomaterial for bone bonding applications. The glass samples were prepared using a melt quenching technique with a definite composition of (45-x) B2O3–24.5Na2O–24.5CaO–6P2O5–xZnO, where x = 1, 2, 5, 7.5, and 10 (wt %) and soaked in simulated body fluid (SBF) for extended periods to explore their suitability for bone bonding applications. The samples were analyzed for their structural, optical, and bioactive properties. XRD and FTIR analysis were used to examine the structural properties of the samples before and after immersion in SBF. The XRD analysis revealed that increasing the Zn content and immersion time led to the formation of a hydroxyapatite (HA) layer inside the glassy matrix, indicating improved bioactivity. The FTIR analysis showed that the addition of ZnO allowed for the conversion of tetrahedral borate units to corresponding triangular units, which improved bioactivity. Electronic spectrum measurements (UV/Vis) were used to assess the samples' optical characteristics, showing that increasing Zn content decreases the optical energy gap, indicating improved optical properties. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of zinc-doped borate glass as a promising biomaterial for bone replacement applications. The findings indicate that by varying the Zn content, it is possible to improve the physical and optical characteristics of the glass, making it a more viable option for bone replacement. Further research is needed to optimize the composition and properties of zinc-doped borate glass and to assess its long-term performance in vivo.