titanium phosphate glass microspheres for bone tissue engineering

we have demonstrated the successful production of titanium phosphate glass microspheres in the size range of ∼10–200 μm using an inexpensive, efficient, easily scalable process and assessed their use in bone tissue engineering applications. glasses of the following compositions were prepared by melt-quench techniques: 0.5p₂o₅–0.4cao–(0.1 − x)na₂o–xtio₂, where x = 0.03, 0.05 and 0.07 mol fraction (denoted as ti3, ti5 and ti7 respectively). several characterization studies such as differential thermal analysis, degradation (performed using a novel time lapse imaging technique) and ph and ion release measurements revealed significant densification of the glass structure with increased incorporation of tio₂ in the glass from 3 to 5 mol.%, although further tio₂ incorporation up to 7 mol.% did not affect the glass structure to the same extent. cell culture studies performed using mg63 cells over a 7-day period clearly showed the ability of the microspheres to provide a stable surface for cell attachment, growth and proliferation. taken together, the results confirm that 5 mol.% tio₂ glass microspheres, on account of their relative ease of preparation and favourable biocompatibility, are worthy candidates for use as substrate materials in bone tissue engineering applications.