A BIOACTIVE COMPOSITE-MATERIAL PRODUCED BY THE SOL-GEL METHOD

The interaction of sol-gel derived glass/organic polymer composite gel monoliths, containing a calcium salt, with an ambient solution of sim ulated body fluid was investigated. These gels were aged, wetted, plac ed in simulated body fluid, and then observed with a scanning electron microscope. The chemical compositions of the sample and the apatite w ere determined by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. A calcium phosphat e apatite layer was clearly observed after 7 days, as was an intermedi ate layer which included not only calcium and phosphate in its composi tion but also silicon. Calcium and phosphate were also observed to be present in the outer layer of the sample, presumably having precipitat ed on the external surfaces of the pores in the SiO2 network.