Evolution of porosity during in vitro hydroxycarbonate apatite growth in sol-gel glasses.

A bioactive glass of composition (mol %) SiO(2) 58, CaO 36, P(2)O(5) 6 was obtained using the sol-gel method. Changes in porosity during the growth of a hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA) phase were studied at different stages of the process. The high Ca (II) content led to a higher degree of porosity and enhancement of Ca(2+) released from surface and bulk when the glass was soaked into simulated body fluid (SBF). Saturation of the media (SBF) together with the porosity of the material led to fast growth of HCA on the surface and into the pores. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.