Monodispersed strontium containing bioactive glass nanoparticles and MC3T3-E1 cellular response

Abstract Non-porous monodispersed strontium containing bioactive glass (Si2O-CaO-SrO) nanoparticles (Sr- BGNPs), were synthesised using a modified Stöber process. Silica nanoparticles (Si-NPs) with diameters 90 ± 10 nm were produced through hydrolysis and polycondensation reactions of the silicon alkoxide precursor, tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), prior to the incorporation of cations; calcium (Ca) and strontium (Sr), into the silica networks through heat treatment (calcination). Sr was substituted for Ca on a mole basis from non- (0SrBGNPs) to fullsubstitution (100SrBGNPs) in order to increase the amount of network modifiers in the Si-NPs. The different ratios of Si: Ca; 1:1.3 and 1:8.0, presented various elemental compositions (i.e. 77–92 mol% of SiO2). The effect of Si: Ca/Sr ratio on particle size, morphology and dispersitywas evaluated, as well as the in vitro cell viability effect of Sr- BGNPs and their dissolution products on pre-osteoblast cell line, MC3T3-E1. Sr incorporation did not affect particle size or dispersity. For 1:1.3 ratio, SrBGNPs caused no toxic effects on the cells and dissolution products of 75- and 100- SrBGNPs showed great potential to promote MC3T3-E1 activity.