Copper-doped Ordered Mesoporous Bioactive Glass: A Promising Multifunctional Platform for Bone Tissue Engineering ^†

The design and development of biomaterials with multifunctional properties is highly attractive in the context of bone tissue engineering due to the potential of providing multiple therapies and, thus, better treatment of diseases. In order to tackle this challenge, copper-doped silicate mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) were synthesized via a sol-gel route coupled with an evaporation-induced self-assembly process by using a non-ionic block co-polymer as a structure directing agent. The structure and textural properties of calcined materials were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning-transmission electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements. In vitro bioactivity was assessed by immersion tests in simulated body fluid (SBF). Preliminary antibacterial tests using Staphylococcus aureus were also carried out. Copper-doped glasses revealed an ordered arrangement of mesopores (diameter around 5 nm) and exhibited apatite-forming ability in SBF along with promising antibacterial properties. These results suggest the potential suitability of copper-doped MBG powder for use as a multifunctional biomaterial to promote bone regeneration (bioactivity) and prevent/combat microbial infection at the implantation site, thereby promoting tissue healing.