Sol–gel synthesis of a new composition of bioactive glass in the quaternary system SiO2–CaO–Na2O–P2O5: Comparison with melting method

New sol–gel experimental conditions were tested to prepare a new SiO2-based bioactive glass with high Na2O content. The aim of this work is to investigate the real influence of the synthesis route (sol–gel versus melting) on the glass intrinsic properties and then, later, on the glass behavior and particularly on bioactivity. The obtained glass and its melt derived counterpart were characterized from structural and morphological (porosity, specific surface area) point of view. It could be noticed that the synthesis mode has no significant influence on glass structure. Conversely, the synthesis mode greatly influences the glass texture. The sol–gel derived glass exhibits a greatly higher specific surface area and pore volume than melt derived glass. This parameter may be a key factor of glass bioactivity.