Melt-derived bioactive glass based on SiO^sub 2^-CaO-Na^sub 2^O-P^sub 2^O^sub 5^ system fabricated at lower melting temperature

This work addresses the development and fabrication of new bioactive glass composition based on SiO2-CaO-Na2O-P2O5 system that can be melted at lower melting temperature (1377 °C and 1348 °C) than 1400 °C through melt-derived route. All BG compositions did not show significant differences on their particle size while retaining their amorphous structure. Formation of Si-O-Si (tetrahedral) functional group indicated that silicate based glass structure was established as discovered by Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR). Apatite formation was observed on bioactive glass surface though being fabricated at lower melting temperature upon soaking in Tris-buffer solution. Feature of carbonate (C-O) and P-O functional group was discovered from FTIR for all glass composition. Present of crystalline peaks was detected in X-ray diffraction (XRD) though fewer peaks were observed for glass fabricated at lower melting temperature. Morphology of apatite in crystal cluster form on the glass surface was identified through scanning electron microscope (SEM).