Multilayer ceramic materials: A method to link bioactivity and durability

Abstract

Abstract The goal of this work is to develop multilayer scaffolds with a high durability core and bioactive external layers. Different ceramics were analysed by Scanning Electron Microscope fitted with Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction and they were subjected to in vitro testing using simulated body fluid. A non-bioactive porous ceramic scaffold, composed fundamentally of calcium pyrophosphate and tricalcium phosphate, constituted the core of the final multilayer ceramic. Otherwise, a highly bioactive ceramic, composed fundamentally of a major amorphous calcium silicate phase with traces of Zn in its composition, constituted the external layers of the final multilayer ceramic. When the multilayer ceramic was analysed, the mineralogical phases changed compared with core ceramic individually, and it was demonstrated that bioactive external layers provided this capacity to the core ceramic, constituted by a material that was initially non-bioactive.