Sol–gel synthesis and characterization of unexpected rod-like crystal fibers based on SiO2–(1-x)CaO–xSrO–P2O5 dried-gel

Abstract Sol–gel technique has several benefits for the preparation of glass, and morphology can be better controlled compared to conventional methods. In this research, new sol–gel derived bioactive glasses based on SiO2–CaO–SrO–P2O5 dried-gel were synthesized and characterized. Herein, a series of 58S bioactive glasses with the composition of 60%SiO2–36%(CaO/SrO)–4%P2O5 (mol%) were synthesized, and the effect of adding strontium (Sr) to the glass structure SiO2–(1-x)CaO–xSrO–P2O5 (where x = 0, 0.5, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1) was investigated by gradually substitution of Sr with calcium (Ca). The obtained results indicated that the Sr free sample totally takes amorphous state indicative of the internal disorder, glassy nature and non-crystalline states of this material. Surprisingly, after further addition of Sr to the glass structure, the X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs showed unexpected significant rod-like crystal fibers, and the major diffraction peaks of Sr(NO3)2, SrCO3 and Sr2Si2O4 became sharper and more apparent up to the final addition of Sr. The complicated and contradictory results underscore the need for better knowledge of how impurities act upon by growing rod-like crystals. In addition, totally understanding the effect of Sr on the morphology of samples from the bottom up is a daunting challenge.