Rare earth element cerium substituted Ca–Si–Mg system bioceramics: From mechanism to mechanical and degradation properties

Cerium (Ce)-substituted diopsides (CaMgSi₂O₆) with enhanced mechanical strength and bioactivity were fabricated by precipitation method, followed by annealing at 1000 °C for 4 h. The mineralogical, morphological, in vitro biomineralization, degradation, and mechanical properties were investigated in order to assess the factors and mechanisms affecting the resultant properties. The X-ray diffractometer results showed that the onset of substitutional solid solubility in 0.25 mol Ce would result in new phase formation (cerium dioxide [CeO₂], and magnesium silicate [MgSiO₃]) further causing lattice instability. With increasing Ce dopant levels to 1.00 mol, the initial CaMgSi₂O₆ phase was completely replaced by new phases. The field-emission scanning electron microscopy results indicated that the 0.25 mol Ce had the best biomineralization performance in vitro, while less hydroxyapatite precipitates were found with further increasing Ce dopant levels, suggesting the new phases led to the hindrance of precipitates. The weight loss values indicated that the high dissolution rate of ions in the matrix was observed in the pure sample, while the high readsorption rate of ions in the simulated body fluid (SBF) occurred with increasing Ce dopant levels. The pH value and the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer results suggested that the release of Ca and Mg ions controlled the pH value. The mechanical strength of matrices before SBF immersion was related to the phase transformation, the elastic modulus of CeO₂ and CaMgSi₂O₆, and the release of Mg ions, while the mechanical strength of matrices after SBF immersion was dominated by the structure of matrices.     

Synthesis and dissolution behavior of nanosized silicon and magnesium co-doped fluorapatite obtained by high energy ball milling

Nanosized hydroxyapatite (HA) powders exhibit a greater surface area than coarser crystals and are expected to show an improved bioactivity. In addition, properties of HA can be tailored over a wide range by incorporating different ions into HA lattice. The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize silicon and magnesium co-doped fluorapatite (Si–Mg–FA) with a chemical composition of Ca_9.5Mg_0.5 (PO₄)_5.5(SiO₄)_0.5F₂ by the high-energy ball milling method. Characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were utilized to investigate the structural properties of the obtained powders. Dissolution behavior was evaluated in simulated body fluid (SBF) and physiological normal saline solution at 37 °C for up to 28 days. The results of XRD and FTIR showed that nanocrystalline single-phase Si–Mg–FA powders were synthesized after 12 h of milling. In addition, incorporation of magnesium and silicon into fluorapatite lattice decreased the crystallite size from 53 nm to 40 nm and increased the lattice strain from 0.220% to 0.296%. Dissolution studies revealed that Si–Mg–FA in comparison to fluorapatite (FA), releases more Ca, P and Mg ions into SBF during immersion. 175 ppm Ca, 33.5 ppm P and 48 ppm Mg were detected in the SBF containing Si–Mg–FA after 7days of immersion, while for FA, it was 75 ppm Ca, 21.5 ppm P and 29 ppm Mg. Release of these ions could improve the bioactivity of the obtained nanopowder. It could be concluded that the prepared nanopowders have structural properties such as crystallite size (~40 nm), crystallinity degree (~40%) and chemical composition similar to biological apatite. Therefore, prepared Si–Mg–FA nanopowders are expected to be appropriate candidates for bone substitution materials and also as a phase in polymer or ceramic-based composites for bone regeneration in tissue engineering applications.     

Chemical preparation of carbonated calcium hydroxyapatite powders at 37°C in urea-containing synthetic body fluids

An important inorganic phase of synthetic bone applications, calcium hydroxyapatite (HA, Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂), was prepared as a single-phase ceramic powder. Carbonated HA powders were formed from calcium nitrate tetrahydrate and di-ammonium hydrogen phosphate salts dissolved in aqueous ‘synthetic body fluid’ (SBF) solutions, containing urea (H₂NCONH₂), at 37 °C and pH of 7·4, by using a novel chemical precipitation technique. These powders were also found to contain trace amounts of Na and Mg impurities in them, originated from the use of SBF solutions, instead of pure water, during their synthesis. The characterization and chemical analysis of the synthesized powders were performed by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transformed infra-red spectroscopy (FT–IR), and inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP–AES).     

Effect of suspension medium on the electrophoretic deposition of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles and properties of obtained coatings

The suspensions of hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles were prepared in different alcohols. The zeta potential of HA nanoparticles was the highest in butanolic suspension (65.65 mV) due to the higher adsorption of RCH₂OH₂⁺ species via hydrogen bonding with surface P3OH group of HA. Electrophoretic deposition was performed at 20 and 60 V/cm for different times. Deposition rate was faster in low molecular weight alcohols due to the higher electrophoretic mobility of HA nanoparticles in them. The coating deposited from butanolic suspension had the highest adhesion strength and corrosion resistance in SBF solution at 37.5 °C. The surface of this coating was covered by apatite after immersion in SBF solution for 1 week.     

Synthesis and in vitro bioactivity assessment of injectable bioglass−organic pastes for bone tissue repair

The aim of this work was to study the bioactivity of systems based on a clinically tested bioactive glass (BG) particulates (mol%: 4.33 Na₂O−30.30 CaO−12.99 MgO−45.45 SiO₂−2.60 P₂O₅−4.33 CaF₂) and organic carriers. The cohesiveness of injectable bone graft products is of high relevance when filling complex volumetric bone defects. With this motivation behind, BG particulates with mean sizes within 11−14 μm were mixed in different proportions with glycerol (G) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as organic carriers and the mixtures were fully injectable exhibiting Newtonian flow behaviors. The apatite forming ability was investigated using X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy under secondary electron mode after immersion of samples in simulated body fluid (SBF) for time durations varying between 12 h and 7 days. The results obtained revealed that in spite of the good adhesion of glycerol and PEG carriers to glass particles during preparation stage, they did not hinder the exposure of bioactive glass particulates to the direct contact with SBF solution. The results confirmed the excellent bioactivity in vitro for all compositions expressed by high biomineralization rates with the formation of crystalline hydroxyapatite being identified by XRD after 12 h of immersion in SBF solution.     

Characterization,in vitro bioactivity and biological studies of sol-gel-derived TiO2 substituted 58S bioactive glass

Bioactive glasses (BGs) have been used for bone formation and bone repair processes in recent years. This study investigated the titanium substitution effect on 58S BGs (Ti-BGs) 60SiO₂-(36 − X)CaO-4P₂O₅-XTiO₂ (X = 0, 3, and 5 mol.%) prepared by the sol-gel technique, and the main goal was to find the optimum amount of titanium in Ti-BGs. Synthesized BGs, which were investigated after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF), were tested by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy. Moreover alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity, 3-(4,5dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and antibacterial studies were employed to investigate the biological properties of Ti-BGs. According to the FTIR and XRD test results, hydroxyapatite (HA) formation on Ti-BGs surfaces was confirmed. Meanwhile, the presence of 5 mol.% compared to 3 mol.% increased the HA grain distribution and their size on the Ti-BGs surface. Additionally, MTT and ALP results confirmed that the optimal amount of titanium substitution in BG was 5 mol.%. Since 5 mol.% Ti incorporated BG (BG-5) had the highest biocompatibility level, antibacterial properties, maximum cell proliferation, and ALP activity among the synthesized Ti-BGs, it is presented as the best candidate for further in vivo investigations.     

Development of Hydrothermally Synthesized Hydroxyapatite Coatings on Metallic Substrates and Weibull's Reliability Analysis of its Shear Strength

Hydroxyapatite (HA) and Mg‐substituted HA coatings were synthesized on Mg‐9Al‐1Zn and Ti‐6Al‐4V by the hydrothermal process. Grazing‐incidence X‐ray diffractograms showed the formation of calcium–magnesium–phosphate is resulted from the substitution of Mg²⁺‐ions into HA crystal. The chemical state of Mg²⁺‐ions in Mg‐substituted HA coatings was examined by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The shear test results showed the Mg‐substituted HA coatings deposited on Mg‐9Al‐1Zn have higher shear strength than those coatings on Ti‐6Al‐4V. The Weibull model provided a powerful statistical method for assessing failure mechanism of hydrothermal coatings, which is attributed to a wear‐out failure model with a Weibull modulus m > 3.     

The role of titania on the microstructure,biocorrosion and mechanical properties of Mg/HA-based nanocomposites for potential application in bone repair

Bone defects are very challenging in orthopedic practice. The ideal bone grafts should provide mechanical support and enhance the bone healing. Biodegradable magnesium (Mg)–based alloys demonstrate good biocompatibility and osteoconductive properties, which are promising biomaterials for bone substitutes. However, the high rate of their biodegradation in human body environment is still challenging. For this scope, synthesis Mg-based composites with bioceramic additives such as HA and titania (TiO₂) is a routine to solve this problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of addition TiO₂ nanopowders on the corrosion behavior and mechanical properties of Mg/HA-based nanocomposites fabricated using a milling-pressing-sintering technique for medical applications. The microstructure of Mg/HA/TiO₂ nanocomposites, in vitro degradation and biological properties including in vitro cytocompatibility were investigated. The corrosion resistance of Mg/HA-based nanocomposites was significantly improved by addition 15 wt% of TiO₂ and decrease HA amount to 5 wt% this was inferred from the lower corrosion current; 4.8 µA/cm² versus 285.3 µA/cm² for the Mg/27.5 wt%HA, the higher corrosion potential; −1255.7 versus −1487.3 mV_SCE, the larger polarization resistance; 11.86 versus 0.25 kΩ cm² and the significantly lower corrosion rate; 0.1 versus 4.28 mm/yr. Compressive failure strain significantly increased from 1.7% in Mg/27.5HA to 8.1% in Mg/5HA/15TiO₂ (wt%). The Mg/5HA/15TiO₂ (wt%) nanocomposite possessed high corrosion resistance, cytocompatibility and mechanical properties and can be considered as a promising material for implant applications.     

Effects of Mg‐Doping and of Reinforcing Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Content on the Structure and Properties of Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposite Ceramics

Surfactant‐assisted hydrothermal synthesis of magnesium‐doped hydroxyapatite (Ca_10?xMg_x(PO₄)₆(OH)₂) with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1) was realized in aqueous solution at 90°C. β‐TCP phase was formed in the Mg_0.6‐HA sample after heat treatment at 1000°C. Magnesium was found to degrade the sintering ability of Mg_x‐HA ceramics. Flexural strength (σ_f) was found to decrease as a function of Mg‐doped HA. The using of carbon nanotubes as reinforcing agents mitigated the strength loss of Mg‐HA ceramics. The flexural strength of Mg_0.6‐HA was then increased by nearly 20% from approximately 33 to 39 MPa with an optimum addition of 3 wt% of multi‐walled nanotubes.     

Biomimetic Mg- and Mg,CO3-substituted hydroxyapatites: synthesis characterization and in vitro behaviour

The doping of the apatite with carbonate or/and Mg ions in biologically-like amounts (6 and 1 wt.%, respectively) was performed. Chemico-physical characterizations and cell culture tests were carried out onto the synthetic Mg- and Mg,CO₃-substituted (∼30–40 nm particle size) powders in comparison with stoichiometric HA (∼160 nm particle size) to determine as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can directly use the mineral microenvironment to stimulate their own proliferation and differentiation activities. At the same time the growth of human osteoblast like cells (MG-63) was evaluated to determine the compatibility of the synthetic doped apatites for bone substitution. Cell morphology analysis by SEM as well as MTT and ALP tests were performed.The peculiar chemico-physical properties of the doped (Mg- and Mg,CO₃-substituted) materials improved the behaviours of MSC and MG-63 cells in term of adhesion, proliferation and metabolic activation compared to stoichiometric HA.     

Characterization and in vitro-bioactivity of natural hydroxyapatite based bio-glass–ceramics synthesized by thermal plasma processing

Natural bovine hydroxyapatite/SiO₂–CaO–MgO glass–ceramics were produced using the transferred arc plasma (TAP) processing method. Homogeneous mixtures of HA/25 wt% SiO₂–CaO–MgO and HA/50 wt% SiO₂–CaO–MgO batches obtained by dry mixing the respective compositions in a ball mill were processed in argon plasma using the TAP torch at 5 kW for 1, 2 and 3 min, respectively. The synthesized glass–ceramic samples were studied for phase composition, microstructure and bioactivity. The phase study of the synthesized glass–ceramics revealed the formation of calcium phosphate silicate with traces of calcium silicate. The structural study by SEM revealed that the prepared samples possessed smooth glassy surface morphology. The in vitro-bioactivity of the TAP synthesized glass–ceramics was examined in simulated body fluid (SBF). The SBF test results confirmed the development of crystalline carbonated apatite phase after 12 days of immersion. The cytocompatibility was evaluated through human fibroblast cell proliferation. The fibroblasts culture results showed that the sample was non-toxic and promoted cell growth.     

Infrared and fluorescence spectroscopy investigation of the orientation of two fluorophores in stretched polymer films

The simultaneous orientation of poly(1,4-butylene)succinate (PBS) and 4,4′-bis(2-benzoxazolyl)stilbene (BBS) or 2,5-bis(5-tert-butyl-benzoxazol-2-yl)thiophene (BBT) in PBS–BBS and PBS–BBT films was investigated during stretching at 80 °C, about 33 °C below the PBS melting temperature. The PBS orientation was first investigated using the 3430 cm^?1 infrared band and its order parameter <P₂> goes from 0.36 at a local strain of 359% for pure PBS to 0.66 in blends containing 6 wt % of BBT at a local draw ratio of ≈350% (or 0.56 with 5 wt % of BBS). At the same time, BBT shows in the same films an orientation parameter <P₂> reaching a maximum of 0.31 at a local strain of ≈350%, using the 1580 cm^?1 band. Since polarized FT-IR was unable to provide the orientation of BBS due to overlapping bands with PBS, polarized fluorescence spectroscopy was then used and reveals an apparent order parameter of 0.32 for BBS monomers (or 0.34 for BBT monomers), but to no orientation of BBT aggregates and BBS excimers. In other words, the two small molecules behave similarly in terms of orientation independently of their molecular shape and packing. BBS and PBS both exhibit a sharp increase of S and <P₂> when reaching a BBS concentration of ≈0.08 wt %, whereas BBT and PBS show a smooth increase of S and <P₂>, respectively, in films containing BBT. The sharp increase, or transition in orientation, is accompanied by a conversion of BBS from monomers to excimers, whereas BBT-containing films show a regular increase of the number/size of BBT aggregates. These results indicate that the dye (BBS or BBT) has a profound influence on the orientation of the semi-crystalline polymer (PBS) since its <P₂> almost doubles at dye concentrations above 0.08 wt %. The results also suggest that the use of a fluorescent probe to follow the polymer chain orientation is not applicable for such systems.     

Structural, optical and bioactive properties of calcium borosilicate glasses

Glass of composition 40SiO₂–20B₂O₃–30CaO–10M₂O₃ (M = Al, Cr, Y and La) were prepared by the splat quenching technique to investigate the effect of M₂O₃ on their bioactivity, structural and optical properties. Y₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃ containing glasses formed a crystalline hydroxyapatite (HA) layer after dipping in simulating body fluid (SBF) for 25 days. On the other hand, HA layer could not form in Al₂O₃ and La₂O₃ glasses. However, during soaking in SBF solution, these glasses exhibit higher dissolution rate, lower density and increased optical band gap as compared to unsoaked glasses. Their oxygen molar volume was also higher than for Y₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃ glasses. The change in composition affects the cross-link formation in the glass matrix and finally its durability and bioactivity in SBF. The results show that M₂O₃ plays an important role in controlling chemical durability and bioactivity of the glasses.     

Synthetic Aragonite (CaCO3) as a Potential Additive in Calcium Phosphate Cements: Evaluation in Tris‐Free SBF at 37°C

Conventional SBF (simulated/synthetic body fluid) solutions are buffered at pH 7.4°C and 37°C using 50 mM Tris [(HOCH₂)₃CNH₂]. Tris is not present in human blood or metabolism and its high concentration makes it the third major component of SBF solutions. All three crystalline polymorphs of calcium carbonate (calcite, aragonite and vaterite) have never been tested simultaneously in an SBF solution. This study presents the SBF‐testing of the particles of these polymorphs at 37°C in Na‐L‐lactate (22 mM)‐buffered Lac‐SBF solution. While the calcite rhombohedra remained completely inert in the solution, vaterite spherulites and aragonite needles accrued apatitic CaP (calcium phosphate) deposits on their surfaces. Mg‐doped (1050 ppm) synthetic aragonite particles did not transform into calcite for 96 h in the Lac‐SBF solution while increasing their BET surface area by about 560% via the apatitic CaP deposits. Given the well‐established use of calcite powders in CaP cement formulations, synthetic aragonite particles may be a potential replacement for calcite due to their rapid response to blood plasma‐like solutions in between 24 and 48 h at 37°C.     

Effect of B2O3 on the structural and in vitro biological assessment of mesoporous bioactive glass nanospheres

In this paper, the boron-containing mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) nanospheres have been successfully synthesized by modified sol-gel method assisted by surfactant, and the effect of boron substitution on structure and bioactivity was evaluated by combining experiments and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations. All of the samples exhibit regularly uniform mesoporous spherical microstructure with an average size of about 60 nm, and the boron-containing MBGs show higher specific surface area with the value up to 416.20 m²/g. The simulated body fluid (SBF) immersion test confirms that the deposited hydroxyapatite (HA) evidently increases with the increasing of boron content, indicating that the biological behavior has been significantly improved resulting from incorporation of boron. Additionally, our results also reveal that B₂O₃ substitution has positive impact on cell proliferation of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) at lower extracted concentration. Furthermore, AIMD simulation is employed to understand the relationship between structural changes and in vitro bioactivity in terms of structural information, especially the boron coordination number. The results illustrate that the boron-containing MBG nanospheres with excellent bioactivity are great potential for biomedical applications.     

Insights into zinc and silver co-substitution over cytotoxicity,antibacterial efficacy,and bone regeneration capabilities of strontium phosphosilicate

A series of Zinc and Silver co-substituted Sr₅(PO₄)₂SiO₄ samples were developed to evaluate the induction of antibacterial properties within the parent material. Structural evaluation of the powder samples showed a good agreement of diffraction data with respective ICDD data cards, and biocompatible secondary phases were found to be present alongside the parent material. A decrease in crystallite size (<40 nm) was observed as the substitution level increased calculated from Scherrer's equation which was also evident in infrared spectra. 6% molar substitution (Zn-3% & Ag-3%) was found to be optimized concentration for the same based on biocompatibility studies involving Hemolytic and MTT assay against MG-63 cell lines. The samples were identical in morphology to Hydroxyapatite and showed excellent bone regeneration capabilities supported by secondary phases confirmed during SBF treatment studies evaluated using diffraction, IR spectra, and electron microscopy that showed signs of apatite seeding over the particles. Both Qualitative and quantitative antibacterial tests in the form of Media poisoning and CFU calculations proved successful acquisition of antibacterial properties at 6% molar substitution. Hence the proposed system can be deemed antibacterial and biocompatible for human application and further evaluated as a possible substitute for Ca–P ceramics for bone regeneration applications.     

The effect of magnesium on bioactivity,rheology and biology behaviors of injectable bioactive glass-gelatin-3-glycidyloxypropyl trimethoxysilane nanocomposite-paste for small bone defects repair

Injectable bioactive glass-based pastes represent promising biomaterials to fill small bone defects thus improving and speed up the self-healing process. Accordingly, injectable nanocomposite pastes based on bioactive glass-gelatin-3-glycidyloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) were here synthesized via two different glasses 64SiO₂. 27CaO. 4MgO. 5P₂O₅ (mol.%) and 64SiO₂.31CaO. 5P₂O₅ (mol.%). In particular, the effects of MgO on bioactivity, rheology, injectability, disintegration resistance, compressive strength and cellular behaviors were investigated. The results showed that the disintegration resistance and compressive strength of the composite were improved by the replacement of MgO; thus, leading to an increase in the amount of storage modulus (G′) from 26800 to 43400 Pa, equal to an increase in the viscosity of the paste from 136 × 10³ to 219 × 10³ Pa s. Since the release rate of ions became more controllable, the formation of calcite was decreased after immersion of the Mg bearing samples in the SBF solution. Specimens’ cytocompatibility was firstly verified towards human osteoblasts by metabolic assay as well as visually confirmed by the fluorescent live/dead staining; finally, the ability of human fibroblasts to penetrate within the pores of 3D composites was verified by a migration assay simulating the devices repopulation upon injection in the injured site.     

Adsorption of perchlorate onto raw and oxidized carbon nanotubes in aqueous solution

Perchlorate (ClO₄^?) is an emerging trace contaminant. The adsorption of ClO₄^? on raw and oxidized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was investigated to elucidate the affinity mechanism of CNTs with anion pollutants. The adsorption of ClO₄^? into different CNTs increased in the order multi-walled CNTs < single-walled CNTs < double-walled CNTs (DWCNTs). Co-existing anions (SO₄^2?, NO₃^?, Cl^?) significantly weakened ClO₄^? adsorption, while the co-existence of Fe³⁺ and cetyltrimethylammonium cations increased ClO₄^? adsorption 2- to 3-fold. ClO₄^? adsorption was promoted by oxidized DWCNTs due to the introduction of more oxygen-containing functional groups, which served as additional adsorption sites. The pH values significantly affected the zeta potential of raw and oxidized DWCNTs and thus ClO₄^? adsorption. The pH-dependent curves of ClO₄^? adsorption on CNTs were distinct from those of conventional sorbents (e.g., activated carbon and resin). Maximum ClO₄^? adsorption occurred at pH = the isoelectric point (pH_IEP) + 0.85 rather than at pH < pH_IEP, which cannot be explained by electrostatic interactions alone. Hydrogen bonding is proposed to be a dominant mechanism at neutral pH for the interaction of ClO₄^? with CNTs, and variations of ClO₄^? affinity with CNTs in different pH ranges are illustrated.     

The synergistic effect of texture and surface roughness on electrophoretic deposited bioactive glass coating

To improve the biocompatibility of AISI 316L, bioactive glass (BG) coating of SiO₂–CaO–P₂O₅ which helps bonding with bone implants was used by an electrophoretic deposition method. Before coating deposition, the samples were treated by shot peening, known as an efficient process for metal grain refinement and fatigue properties. The stainless steel 316L was investigated in terms of microstructure, texture, and roughness. This research covers the effects of chosen shot peening parameter on the BG-coating properties on the obtained results. Shot peening was carried using two different sets of parameters as conventional shot peening, and severe shot peening. Wettability, roughness, microstructure, coating thickness, and corrosion behavior of coated sample were investigated in terms of potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in simulated body fluid (SBF) solutions at 37°C. The results indicated that the coating thickness decreased from 35.5 ± 10 µm for coated not peened (CNP) to 20 ± 5 and 17 ± 2 µm for coated conventionally shot-peened (CCSP) and coated severely shot-peened (CSSP), respectively. As well as, the water contact angle of CSSP sample was equal to 15.71° which is much lower than CNP (20.7°). The protection ability of the tested samples in the SBF was improved in the following order: CCSP < CNP < CSSP.     

Effects of Sr and Mg dopants on biological and mechanical properties of SiO2–CaO–P2O5 bioactive glass

In the present study, the effects of Sr and Mg were investigated on mechanical and biological properties of 58S bioactive glass (BG). SiO₂-P₂O₅-CaO BG with different contents of Sr and Mg were synthesized via the sol-gel method and immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) for several days to explore their biocompatibility. Precise analyses of the BG using X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy showed that the Mg-doped BG containing 8 wt % MgO possessed better biocompatibility. It was also found that mechanical properties of the BG could be improved by increasing the amounts of MgO and SrO. Both 5Sr-BG and 8Mg-BG samples did not exhibit any cytotoxicity while showing high alkaline phosphatase activity in comparison with control specimens. However, the Sr-doped BG sample including 5 wt % SrO demonstrated enhanced bioactivity and biocompatibility.