Issue 10, 2024

The unexplored role of alkali and alkaline earth elements (ALAEs) on the structure, processing, and biological effects of bioactive glasses

Abstract

Bioactive glass has been employed in several medical applications since its inception in 1969. The compositions of these materials have been investigated extensively with emphasis on glass network formers, therapeutic transition metals, and glass network modifiers. Through these experiments, several commercial and experimental compositions have been developed with varying chemical durability, induced physiological responses, and hydroxyapatite forming abilities. In many of these studies, the concentrations of each alkali and alkaline earth element have been altered to monitor changes in structure and biological response. This review aims to discuss the impact of each alkali and alkaline earth element on the structure, processing, and biological effects of bioactive glass. We explore critical questions regarding these elements from both a glass science and biological perspective. Should elements with little biological impact be included? Are alkali free bioactive glasses more promising for greater biological responses? Does this mixed alkali effect show increased degradation rates and should it be employed for optimized dissolution? Each of these questions along with others are evaluated comprehensively and discussed in the final section where guidance for compositional design is provided.

Graphical abstract: The unexplored role of alkali and alkaline earth elements (ALAEs) on the structure, processing, and biological effects of bioactive glasses

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
16 Aug 2023
Accepted
15 Feb 2024
First published
26 Mar 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Biomater. Sci., 2024,12, 2521-2560

The unexplored role of alkali and alkaline earth elements (ALAEs) on the structure, processing, and biological effects of bioactive glasses

A. Shearer, M. Molinaro, M. Montazerian, J. J. Sly, M. Miola, F. Baino and J. C. Mauro, Biomater. Sci., 2024, 12, 2521 DOI: 10.1039/D3BM01338C

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