structural investigations of SiO₂-containing phosphate glasses

Abstract

The incorporation of SiO₂ into phosphate glasses is interesting in view of the development of phosphatic biomaterials. The present investigation is concerned with the incorporation of SiO₂ into phosphate base glasses possessing different phosphate structures. Due to their structural characteristics, they can be classified into three groups: glasses with long phosphate chains or rings formed by Q² phosphate structural groups, glasses with shorter phosphate chains formed by Q² and Q¹ groups and glasses with phosphate invert glass structure, possessing ortho(Q°)- and pyrophosphate groups (two Q¹ groups) exclusively. The structures of these glasses in dependence on the incorporated silica were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and by ³¹P MAS NMR. The principles of incorporation are discussed.