Spectroscopic investigation of synergetic bioactivity behavior of some ternary borate glasses containing fluoride anions

Abstract Ternary borate glasses containing LiF, ZnF 2 , NaF or CaF 2 were prepared by full replacement of silica by borate in patented Hench′s bioglass. Prepared samples were examined for their corrosion behavior with the expected final formation of fluoroapatite after immersion in SBF (simulated body fluid). Characterization of the glasses was carried by FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) absorption spectra before and after immersion. DAT (deconvolution analysis technique) was used to identify the formation of fluoroxyapatite from FTIR data after immersion in SBF. X-ray diffraction analyses were done for all samples to identify the crystalline phases that were formed after immersion in SBF and also to determine the degree of crystallinity for each sample. Also, scanning electron microscopic (SEM) investigations were carried out to examine the morphological changes of the surfaces upon immersion and the effects of different individual fluoride additives. The solubility testing for glassy samples was performed and the changes in the pH of the leaching solution were measured and evaluated. The overall combined spectral and solubility data were compared to evaluate the suitability of the prepared glassy samples to be used as bone bonding materials.