The effects of Cu 2+ and La 3+ doping on the sintering ability of sol-gel derived high silica bioglasses

This paper reports the hierarchical influence of co-doping copper and lanthanum in a sol–gel derived quaternary (Si, Ca, Na, P) bioactive glass on its sintering ability. The mutual effects of Cu & La on density, crystallisation and sinterability were investigated using Taguchi analysis. Thermal properties of bioglasses were assessed by DTA/TGA and dilatometry, while crystallisation phase evolution of was monitored by X–ray diffraction. Ten glass compositions were sintered at two temperatures (800 and 900 °C). The glass structure was analysed by MAS–NMR, the sintered density measured, and sintered microstructures observed by SEM/EDS. Results revealed that Cu promotes early densification, enhancing density at lower sintering temperatures. Oppositely, beneficial sintering effects of La might be observed at higher sintering temperatures (>1000 °C). These differences are induced by the distinct roles of doping elements on devitrification upon increasing their concentrations: crystallisation is promoted by Cu and is inhibited by La.