Tailoring borosilicate bioactive glasses with fluorine: A structural and functional perspective for bone implant applications

A Chakraborty and S Prasad and I Tah and A Jana and S Kant and S Tripathy and PK Sinha and A Tarafder and K Biswas, CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL, 51, 42734-42747 (2025).

DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2025.07.017

This research explores the development and evaluation of fluorine- modified borosilicate bioactive glasses, with a focus on their potential for bone implant applications. The study provides insights into the previously lessexplored structural role of fluorine in these glass systems, enhancing the understanding of bioactive glass behaviour. Raman spectroscopy and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations support a proposed network model, which suggests the formation of a structurally weaker, modifier-rich fluoride region within the glass matrix. This region, enriched with F, Ca, Na, and P, influences cation distribution and enhances polymerization of silicate and borate units. Fluorine incorporation improves thermal stability, sinterability, and dissolution behaviour, making these glasses promising for biomedical applications. While fluorine delays apatite formation in simulated body fluid, it significantly enhances antibacterial activity and promotes cell proliferation. These findings highlight the potential of fluorine- modified borosilicate bioactive glasses in tailoring dissolution and bioactivity for bone tissue engineering applications.

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