Antibacterial Bioglass‐Derived Scaffolds: Innovative Synthesis Approach and Characterization

Prevention and successful treatment of implant infection following bone surgery are critical challenges to avoid additional stress, disease, and any extra‐surgery to patients. We investigated the feasibility of a new synthesis method to prepare a bioactive glass‐ceramic scaffolds doped with silver, an antibacterial element. Scaffolds were fabricated by sponge replication method and silver was incorporated in the glass‐based slurry that infiltrates the template using silver nitrate as a precursor. The silver‐doped scaffolds mimic closely the cancellous bone in terms of 3‐D trabecular architecture and mechanical properties, were highly bioactive as demonstrated by the in vitro formation of a surface hydroxyapatite layer upon soaking in simulated body fluids, and exhibited good antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus , a common bacterial strain involved in postsurgical infections.