Antibacterial Bioglass-Derived Scaffolds: Innovative Synthesis Approach and Characterization

Prevention and successful treatment of implant infection following bone surgery are critical challenges to avoid additional stress, disease, and any extra-surgery to patients. We investigated the feasibility of a new synthesis method to prepare a bioactive glass-ceramic scaffolds doped with silver, an antibacterial element. Scaffolds were fabricated by sponge replication method and silver was incorporated in the glass-based slurry that infiltrates the template using silver nitrate as a precursor. The silver-doped scaffolds mimic closely the cancellous bone in terms of 3-D trabecular architecture and mechanical properties, were highly bioactive as demonstrated by the in vitro formation of a surface hydroxyapatite layer upon soaking in simulated body fluids, and exhibited good antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacterial strain involved in postsurgical infections.