Cement of β-Dicalcium Silicate for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

β-dicalcium silicate (β-Ca2SiO_4, β-C_2S) is one of the main constituents in Portland cement clinker and many refractory materials, itself is a hydraulic cement that reacts with water or aqueous solution at room/body temperature to form a hydrated phase (C-S-H), which provides mechanical strength to the end product. In the present investigation β-C_2S was synthesized by sol-gel process and it was used as powder to cement preparation, named CSC.
Biodegradation and citotoxicity studies were assessed to cement samples. Sol-gel process is an available synthesis method in order to obtain a pure powder of β-C_2S at relatively low temperatures without chemical stabilizers. A bone-like
apatite layer covered the material surface after soaking in SBF and its compressive strength (CSC cement) was comparable with that of the trabecular bone. The cement showed a non cytotoxic response against cells culture and presented
high values of cellular viability.