Crystallisation behaviour and in vitro characterisation of TiO ₂ doped spodumene glass ceramics

Crystallisation behaviour of Li2O–Al2O3–SiO2 system (LAS) glass ceramics containing TiO2 doping and non-doping is investigated by differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The introduction of TiO2 decreases the crystallising peak temperature T p and the crystallising activation energy E and improves the crystallisation stage to obtain fine crystal with a size of ∼100 nm. A controlled surface reaction of the ceramic is an important factor governing the bioinert and biodegradation nature of the implanted ceramic. The addition of TiO2 improves the chemical durability of the glass ceramic, by reducing the number of non-bridging oxygens, suppressing the tendency for amorphous phase separation and provides a more dense and stable structure. This results in a decrease in the release rate of Li+, Al3+ and Si4+ ions in a simulated body fluid.