Apatite formation on organic polymers by biomimetic process using Na2O-SiO2 glasses as nucleating agent

Abstract

The mechanism for the formation of bone-like apatite layer on the surfaces of CaO-SiO2-based glasses and glass-ceramics is explained. The calcium ion dissolved from the glasses and glass-ceramics increases the ionic activity product of the apatite in the surrounding body fluid, which is already supersaturated with respect to the apatite, and the hydrated silica of the surfaces of the glasses and glass-ceramics provides favorable sites for the apatite formation.