Bioactive pyrophosphate glass/beta-tricalcium phosphate composite with high mechanical properties

A composition of phosphate glass was incorporated into the beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) ceramic by a weight ratio of 10% aiming to study the effects of the phosphate glass on the mechanical and biological properties of β-TCP matrix. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the phase composition of the phosphate glass was in the pyrophosphate region which consisted of Na4P2O7 and β-Ca2P2O7 (β-DCP) phases. Density and bending strength assessment had been conducted and the results showed that the pyrophosphate glass/β-TCP (PG/β-TCP) system presents a high mechanical properties. The biological characteristics of the composite had been evaluated by means of in vivo testing and in vitro testing. Leaf-like particles with Ca/P molar ratio of 1.46 was observed under electron microscopy (SEM) after soaking for 5 days on the surface of composite but no similar structure was detected on the surface of pure β-TCP. Osteoblast-like cells 3T3-E1 were seeded onto the PG/β-TCP composite and pure β-TCP matrix. MTT results show that the composite is non-toxic and biocompatible and furthermore, the living cell number adhered on the surface of matrixes reveals that the addition of pyrophosphate glass can significantly facilitate cells adhesion.