Sol-gel bioceramic material from bentonite clay

Abstract

Bioceramic material of the quaternary system; SiO2- CaO-Na2O-P2O5 that has composition similar to Bio- glass? 45S5 was prepared by the sol-gel method from locally obtained bentonite clay (BTC). The monolith obtained was sintered at 1000?C for 2 h to facilitate densification and phase transformation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the presence of sodium calcium silicate, Na2Ca2Si3O9 as major crystal phase, and another secondary orthorhombic phase, NaCaPO4. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic investigation confirmed the presence of Si-O-Si bonds and a crystalline phosphate in the glass network. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a network of micropores and interconnected macropores. Overall, the material displays features amenable for possible utilization in tissue engineering scaffolds.