Direct monitoring of immediate release of Zn from zinc-doped bioactive glass

Zinc-doped bioactive glass prepared by conventional melting was tested in simulated body fluid (SBF) to quantitatively determine zinc ion release at the early stage of dissolution of bioactive glass. The analysis of the leaching solution was performed in a flow-through arrangement, with the reaction cell connected directly to the nebulizer of the ICP OES. Possible formation of zinc silicate and zinc phosphate as alteration products precipitating from SBF solution along with hydroxyapatite was evaluated using the PHREEQC modeling code. Direct monitoring in the first 10-min interval of contact of the glass with SBF contributed to determination of the immediate quantity of zinc leached from the glass and confirmed burst release of zinc from material, with a maximum after ∼4.5 min of contact with the SBF.