Apatite formation on the surface of silicone elastomer covered with bioactive glass particles

Abstract

Surface modification was applied to silicone elastomers via ultrasonic implantation of bioactive 50CaO · 50SiO2 (mol%) glass particles (<45μm in diameter). Silicone elastomers with different hardness, which were sampled from an appropriate stage of their hardening process, were immersed in the bioactive glass-ethanol suspension and subjected to irradiation of ultrasonic energy. The glass particles wholly covered and well adhered to the surface of silicone elastomers when the glass was implanted in the silicone elastomer at the stage of hard gel. Thus the resulting composite formed apatite, which is essential for bone-bonding, in Kokubo solution within 7 days. The cross-sectional analysis of the composite soaked in Kokubo solution indicates that the composite is covered with a complexed layer consisting of the bioactive glass and the in situ formed apatite.