title: A nanotectonics approach to produce hierarchically organized bioactive glass nanoparticles-based macrospheres.
abstract: Bioactive particles have been widely used in a series of biomedical applications due to their ability to promote bone-bonding and elicit favorable biological responses in therapies associated with the replacement and regeneration of mineralized tissues. In this work hierarchical architectures are prepared by an innovative methodology using SiO(2)-CaO sol-gel based nanoparticles. Inspired by colloidal crystals, spherical aggregates were formed on biomimetic superhydrophobic surfaces using bioactive glass nanoparticles (BG-NPs) able to promote bone regeneration. A highly ordered organization, a common feature of mineralized structures in Nature, was achieved at both nano- and microlevels, being the crystallization degree of the structures controlled by the evaporation rates taking place at room temperature (RT) or at 4 °C. The crystallization degree of the structures influenced the Ca/P ratio of the apatitic film formed at their surface, after 7 days of immersion in SBF. This allows the regulation of bioactive properties and the ability to release potential additives that could be also incorporated in such particles with a high efficiency. Such a versatile method to produce bioactive particles with controlled size and internal structure could open new possibilities in designing new spherical devices for orthopaedic applications, including tissue engineering.
authors.affiliation: 3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, 4806-909 Taipas, Guimarães, Portugal.
authors.forename: Gisela M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Luz
authors.forename: João F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Mano
mesh_terms: D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D003460:Crystallization; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000737:chemistry; D008954:Models, Biological; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D017610:Calcium Compounds; D010087:Oxides; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; C016538:lime; D008751:Methylene Blue