Facile synthesis and in vitro bioactivity of monodispersed mesoporous bioactive glass sub-micron spheres

This paper reports a facile method for fabricating monodispersed mesoporous bioactive glass sub-micron spheres (MBGS) using dodecylamine (DDA) as a catalyst and template agent in sal gel process. The morphology, structure and in vitro bioactivity of MBGS were investigated by various methods. The results indicate that using DDA as the structure directing agent and hydrolysis catalyst is in favor of preparing the MBGS with mesoporous surface structure, large specific surface area (362.073 m(2) g(-1)), relatively homogeneous particle size (similar to 560 nm) and good apatite-forming activity. The unique structure and properties may turn MBGS into a good candidate as a drug delivery carrier or an injectable biomaterial for bone tissue regeneration. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.