Characterization of Hybrid Materials Prepared by Sol-Gel Method for Biomedical Implementations. A Critical Review

Abstract

The interaction between tissues and biomaterials (BM) has the purpose of improving and replacing anatomical parts of the human body, avoiding the occurrence of adverse reactions in the host organism. Unfortunately, the early failure of implants cannot be currently avoided, since neither a good mixture of mechanical and chemical characteristics of materials nor their biocompatibility has been yet achieved. Bioactive glasses are recognized to be a fine class of bioactive substances for good repair and replacement. BM interact with living bones through the formation of a hydroxyapatite surface layer that is analogous to bones. Bioglasses’ composition noticeably affects their biological properties, as does the synthesis method, with the best one being the versatile sol-gel technique, which includes the change of scheme from a ‘sol’ fluid into a ‘gel’. This process is widely used to prepare many materials for biomedical implants (e.g., hip and knee prostheses, heart valves, and ceramic, glassy and hybrid materials to serve as carriers for drug release). Nanoparticles prepared by the sol-gel method are interesting systems for biomedical implementations, and particularly useful for cancer therapy. This review provides many examples concerning the synthesis and characterization of the above-mentioned materials either taken from literature and from recently prepared zirconia/polyethylene glycol (PEG) hybrids, and the corresponding results are extensively discussed.

Polymer‐based nanocomposites fabricated by microemulsion method

“…In this well‐known procedure, especially for epoxy and polydimethylsiloxane nanocomposites, the nanoparticles are formed via the hydrolysis and subsequent condensation of metal alkoxide precursors inside the monomer resins, followed by the curing of the resins to form the nanocomposite. [ 12 ] In the melt intercalation methodology, polymer and modified nanofillers mixture are blended in in the molten state under shear. [ 13 ] The polymer chains form the molten mass around the nanofillers particles to form an intercalated nanocomposite.…”

Influence of Addition of Antibiotics on Chemical and Surface Properties of Sol-Gel Coatings

“…Sol-gel technology is a versatile method used to produce a wide diversity of materials. Among the advantages it offers are the simple sol-gel processing conditions and the possibility of tuning organic-inorganic hybrid materials for specific requirements [ 17 , 18 ]. Some studies have previously been conducted in which antibiotics are introduced into biodegradable sol-gel coatings, but these investigations are very scarce [ 19 , 20 ].…”

Inclusion complexes of triblock L35 copolymer and hydroxyl propyl cyclodextrins: a physico-chemical study

“…In recent years, the development of supramolecular structures has gained growing interest because of their potential applications in numerous fields, including medicine, 1–7 pharmaceutics 8–10 catalysis, 11–18 engineering 19,20 and remediation. 21 Based on the definition of Nobel Prize laureate Jean-Marie Lehn, noncovalent interactions can drive the formation of highly organized structures.…”