Influence of Doped Ions on the Properties of Bioactive Glass Scaffolds

This study investigates the morphological, structural, and bioactive properties of strontium-doped bioactive glass (Sr-BG) and copper-strontium-doped bioactive glass (Cu-Sr-BG) scaffolds to enhance their potential for biomedical applications. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that both Sr-BG and Cu-Sr-BG scaffolds feature smooth, highly porous surface morphologies with interconnected pores (120–150 µm) created using a foaming agent. This pore network facilitates cell attachment and proliferation. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis confirmed the preservation of the silica network, with characteristic Si–O–Si bending and stretching peaks remaining consistent after Cu doping. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis demonstrated that both scaffolds retained an amorphous structure, with Cu doping successfully incorporated without disrupting this feature. Both Sr-BG and Cu-Sr-BG scaffolds exhibited excellent bioactivity, forming an apatite layer on their surfaces after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF), indicating strong potential for bone tissue engineering applications. These findings suggest that Sr- and Cu-doped bioactive glass scaffolds possess promising characteristics for promoting cell attachment and osteoconductivity, positioning them as viable candidates for future biomedical applications in bone regeneration