title: Are lithium niobate (LiNbO3) and lithium tantalate (LiTaO3) ferroelectrics bioactive?
abstract: The use of functional materials, such as ferroelectrics, as platforms for tissue growth in situ or ex situ, is new and holds great promise. But the usage of materials in any bioapplication requires information on biocompatibility and desirably on bioactive behavior when bone tissue engineering is envisaged. Both requirements are currently unknown for many ferroelectrics. Herein the bioactivity of LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 is reported. The formation of apatite-like structures on the surface of LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 powders after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) for different soaking periods indicates their bioactive potential. The mechanism of apatite formation is suggested. In addition, the significant release of lithium ions from the ferroelectric powders in the very first minutes of soaking in SBF is examined and ways to overcome this likely hurdle addressed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials and Ceramic Engineering, Center for Research in Ceramics and Composite Materials, CICECO, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal. Electronic address: paula.vilarinho@ua.pt.
authors.forename: Paula Maria
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Vilarinho
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials and Ceramic Engineering, Center for Research in Ceramics and Composite Materials, CICECO, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Barroca
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials and Ceramic Engineering, Center for Research in Ceramics and Composite Materials, CICECO, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zlotnik
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials and Ceramic Engineering, Center for Research in Ceramics and Composite Materials, CICECO, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Félix
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials and Ceramic Engineering, Center for Research in Ceramics and Composite Materials, CICECO, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria Helena
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Fernandes
mesh_terms: D001031:Apatites / Q000737:chemistry; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001769:Blood; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009556:Niobium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013499:Surface Properties; D013635:Tantalum / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001031:Apatites; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D010087:Oxides; C473347:lithium tantalate oxide; D009556:Niobium; C091692:lithium niobate; D013635:Tantalum; D008094:Lithium
keywords: Apatite; Bioactivity; Ferroelectrics; Lithium niobate; Lithium tantalate; Simulated body fluid (SBF)