Preparation and characterization of novel β-CaSiO3-Ca2ZnSi2O7 bioceramics with adjustable degradability and apatite-formation ability

beta-CaSiO3-Ca2ZnSi2O7 bioceramics were successfully prepared by pressureless-sintering, series of Ca2ZnSi2O7 varying from 5 to 40 wt% were added and the effects of Ca2ZnSi2O7 on ceramics degradability and apatite-formation ability were comprehensively investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). The results indicated that the degradability of beta-CaSiO3-Ca2ZnSi2O7 eramics gradually decreased with the Ca2ZnSi2O7 contents and a hydroxyapatite layer on the ceramics surface was confirmed during soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF), suggesting that the addition of Ca2ZnSi2O7 was a promising route to adjust the beta-CaSiO3 ceramics degradability and apatite-formation ability. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.