Na2CaSi2O6–P2O5 based bioactive glasses. Part 1: Elasticity and structure

The glass structure and elastic properties of two bioglasses having bulk compositions near Na₂CaSi₂O₆ (45S5.2) and Na₂CaSi₃O₈ (55S4.1) were studied using both Raman and Brillouin scattering techniques. The annealed 45S5.2 glass has more Q² and Q⁰ but less Q³ species than 55S4.1 glass due to lower (Si⁴⁺ + P⁵⁺)/(Na⁺ + Ca²⁺) ratio. Brillouin scattering measurements of the as-annealed glasses indicated that 45S5.2 glass is ca. 2% and 9% higher in Young’s and bulk moduli than 55S4.1 glass due to more modifiers in the 45S5.2 glass. Nearly full crystallization of 45S5.2 glass was observed after treating it at 715 °C for ca. 30 min. Devitrification of the 45S5.2 glass caused an increase in the elastic moduli up to ca. 30% (fully crystallized) but a negligible change in density. This 45S5.2-derived crystalline phase displayed at least 17 Raman bands, and has the average elastic moduli of 72.4 (bulk), 41.6 (shear), and 104.7 (Young’s) GPa. The comparable elastic moduli with hydroxyapatite and the ability for developing a HCA layer in simulated body fluid indicate that the 45S5.2-derived phase may be better for using as a substitute of bone than its parent glass.