Influence of Nb2O5 incorporation on the bioactivity and apatite-forming ability of SiO2–CaO–Na2O–P2O5–CaF2–SrO bioactive glass
Materials Research Bulletin, vol.204, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 204
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2026.114333
- Journal Name: Materials Research Bulletin
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Compendex, INSPEC, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Engineering Source (EBSCO)
- Keywords: Bioactive glasses, Bioactivity, Dental applications, Melt-quenching, Nb incorporation, Niobium (Nb)
- Yıldız Technical University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
In this work, we report in vitro bioactivity and ion release evaluation of senary SiO2–CaO–Na2O–P2O5–CaF2–SrO glasses with different amounts of Nb2O5 incorporation (0–1.5 mol%) produced via melt quenching. Upon immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF), FTIR and XRD analyses revealed progressive development of calcium phosphate phases-amorphous Ca-P (ACa-P), hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA), hydroxyapatite (HA), and, in CaF2-containing glasses, fluorapatite (FA)-with higher Nb incorporation levels delaying but sustaining in vitro bioactivity. Besides, SEM micrographs of all glass samples showed “cauliflower like” apatite morphologies covering particle surfaces after 7 days of SBF incubation. ICP-OES measurements demonstrated that Nb incorporation into CaF2-containing glasses reduced the overall dissolution rate. The tunable bioactivity kinetics, combined with controlled solubility and following apatite formation, suggest that Nb incorporated glasses are promising bioactive fillers for dental composite applications requiring both early mineralization and long term chemical stability.