Effect of electrospin bioactive glass fibers on calcium sulfate properties

In the present study، structural، physico-chemical and mechanical properties of pure calcium phosphate bone cement and effect of adding bioactive glass fibers (BGf) on it were evaluated. The sol-gel derived bioactive glass fibers were composed of ternary system of silicon oxide، calcium oxide and phosphorus oxide that were prepared by electrospinning method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray analyses were performed to assess morphology and phase composition of fibers، respectively. Afterwards، different weight ratios of the fibers were added into the calcium sulphate cement (CS) matrix and the mechanical properties were studied. The results showed that optimum mechanical properties were related to 15% BGf reinforced CS as the compressive strength، Young’s modulus and fracture toughness were about 31/54 MPa، 965 MPa and 0/566 kJ/cm2، respectively. Initial and final setting times of the composite were 6 min and 21 min، respectively. For comparison، structural and bioactivity properties of pure CS (as a control sample) and nanocomposite were then investigated. The results showed that adding BGf into the CS matrix not only had appropriate effect on pure CS but also improved mechanical properties، apatite formation and human MG-64 cell attachment.