Copper-containing glass polyalkenoate cements based on SiO₂–ZnO–CaO–SrO–P₂O₅ glasses: glass characterization, physical and antibacterial properties

A series of copper (Cu)-containing glasses were synthesized and incorporated into a SiO₂–ZnO–CaO–SrO–P₂O₅-based glass system. Additions of 6 and 12 mol% CuO retained the amorphous character, and glasses were processed to possess similar particle sizes and surface areas. Glass characterization using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance determined that the addition of 12 mol% CuO increased the fraction of Q⁴-speciation and the concentration of bridging oxygens. Each glass presented solubility profiles for the release of Si⁴⁺ (18–31 mg/L), Ca²⁺ (13–16 mg/L), Zn²⁺ (<3 mg/L) and Sr²⁺(2–10 mg/L); however, no Cu²⁺ or P⁵⁺ were released. Cu-GPCs were formulated, and the working time (T _w) and setting times (T _s) were found to be dependent on both polyacrylic acid concentration and CuO addition. The mechanical properties, i.e. the compressive strength (18–30 MPa) and the adhesive bond strength (0.79–1.32 MPa), were relative low which is likely due to the glass structure. Antibacterial properties were evaluated in E. coli (4 mm), S. epidermidis (10 mm), S. aureus (UMAS-1) and vancomycin resistant S. aureus (2 mm) and presented antibacterial effects in each microbe tested.