Synthesis and characterisation of a new composite aluminosilicate bioceramic

Sol-gel derived 60SiO(2).20Al(2)O(3).10Fe(2)O(3).10Dy(2)O(3) (mol%) glass and vitro-ceramic samples obtained after high temperature treatment were investigated with respect to structure, magnetic behaviour, response to simulated body fluid (SBF) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). After heat treatment, the iron preponderantly crystallises as magnetite and hematite. The field-dependent magnetisation measurements support a soft ferrimagnetic, nearly superparamagnetic behaviour. After soaking in SFB/BSA solutions, the analysis of the outermost surface layer by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows the attachment of the protein and the self-assembly of a calcium containing phase. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.