Crystallisation behaviour and in vitro characterisation of TiO 2 doped spodumene glass ceramics

Crystallisation behaviour of Li₂O–Al₂O₃–SiO₂ system (LAS) glass ceramics containing TiO₂ doping and non-doping is investigated by differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The introduction of TiO₂ decreases the crystallising peak temperature T_p and the crystallising activation energy E and improves the crystallisation stage to obtain fine crystal with a size of ∼100 nm. A controlled surface reaction of the ceramic is an important factor governing the bioinert and biodegradation nature of the implanted ceramic. The addition of TiO₂ improves the chemical durability of the glass ceramic, by reducing the number of non-bridging oxygens, suppressing the tendency for amorphous phase separation and provides a more dense and stable structure. This results in a decrease in the release rate of Li⁺, Al³⁺ and Si⁴⁺ ions in a simulated body fluid.