Tellurium: A new active element for innovative multifunctional bioactive glasses

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Materials Chemistry
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Bioactive glasses are known for therapeutic ion release.
• Doping bioactive glasses can enhance their therapeutic properties.
• Tellurium dioxide (TeO2) is explored for antibacterial and antioxidant effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of tellurium dioxide doping on silica-based bioactive glasses.
• To evaluate the antibacterial, antioxidant, and in vitro bioactivity of Te-doped glasses.
• To assess the cytocompatibility of these novel biomaterials.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of silica-based glasses doped with 1 and 5 mol% TeO2.
• Analysis of morphology, composition, structure, and thermal properties (Tg).
• In vitro bioactivity testing (hydroxyapatite formation) and biological assays for cytocompatibility, antibacterial, and antioxidant activity.

Main Results:

• TeO2 doping maintained the amorphous nature of the glass.
• A slight decrease in glass transition temperature (Tg) was observed with TeO2 substitution.
• TeO2 amounts above 1 mol% influenced the primary crystal field.
• Te-doped glasses demonstrated in vitro bioactivity, inducing hydroxyapatite precipitation.
• Significant antibacterial and antioxidant effects were observed in Te-containing glasses compared to the control.

Conclusions:

• Tellurium dioxide is a promising dopant for enhancing the biological performance of bioactive glasses.
• Te-doped glasses exhibit significant antibacterial and antioxidant capabilities.
• These materials show potential for applications requiring enhanced therapeutic effects and bone regeneration.