Synthesis of bioactive poly(ethylene glycol)/SiO2-CaO-P2O5 hybrids for bone regeneration

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)/SiO2-CaO-P2O5 hybrid xerogels were prepared using a room temperature sol-gel process. The advantage of this hybrid material over conventional composites is the molecular scale interactions between the bioactive inorganic components and the biodegradable organic components. Since PEG was added into the sol when the hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane occurred, the molecular chain of PEG was penetrated into the SiO2 networks to form a semi-IPN structure. Due to the excellent biocompatibility and aqueous solubility of PEG molecules, as well as the bioactivity of the inorganic components, the biological and mechanical properties of this hybrid xerogel exhibit great potential for bone regeneration applications. The formation of hydroxyapatite was observed when the xerogel was immersed into simulated body fluid, demonstrating good bioactivity of the hybrid. The cell toxicity test also demonstrated that the hybrid material is suitable for the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Thus, the PEG/SiO2-CaO-P2O5 hybrid xerogel has great potential to meet the demands of bone regeneration materials.