Synthesis, Characterization, and Hard Tissue Engineering Applications of Sol–Gel Derived Larnite/Wollastonite Composites

ABSTRACT Sol–gel combustion method was employed to synthesize larnite (Ca ₂ SiO ₄ ) and wollastonite (CaSiO ₃ ) employing l‐alanine as a reducing agent. The ceramic–ceramic composite was developed employing wollastonite as reinforcement to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of the matrix larnite in three different ratios, i.e., L/W (50:50), L/W (70:30) and L/W (80:20). The characterization of the synthesized composites was carried out by powder x‐ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM) techniques. L/W (50:50) composite was further used for bio‐applications because of its better crystallinity and purity. The biomineralization study revealed that L/W (50:50) was completely covered with hydroxyapatite till the ninth day of immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF). Afterward, using the well diffusion technique, all the composite ratios were tested for their antibacterial properties against four infectious microbial species, including Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae , and Bacillus subtilis ; and against Candida albicans for their antifungal properties. These composite samples demonstrated effective antimicrobial activity against each of the microbial infections mentioned. The IC ₅₀ (inhibition concentration) values of all the composite compacts were observed for MG‐63 (osteosarcoma bone cancer) after testing their toxicity against Vero cell line.