Abstract
The aim of this study was the preparation and characterization of bioactive dicalcium silicate ceramics. Dicalcium silicate (Ca2SiO4) powders were synthesized by sol-gel process and hydrothermal method. β-Ca2SiO4 and γ-Ca2SiO4 ceramics were prepared by sintering Ca2SiO4 powders at different temperatures. The mechanical strength of these two ceramics was compared and in vitro bioactivity was evaluated by soaking samples in simulated body fluid (SBF), and XRD, SEM and FTIR analysis were used for characterization of newly formed hydroxyapatite (HAp). The results showed that γ-Ca2SiO4 ceramic had a higher bending strength than β-Ca2SiO4, and the bending strength was dependent on sintering temperature. After soaking in SBF, HAp was observed on the surface of both ceramics but the formation rate for β-Ca2SiO4 ceramic was higher than γ-Ca2SiO4 due to the hydration property of β-Ca2SiO4. Our results suggest that both β-Ca2SiO4 and γ-Ca2SiO4 ceramics are potential candidate as biomaterials for tissue repair.
