Coupled Ionic-Molecular Release Governed by Dissolution and Diffusion in Multicomponent Bioactive Glass Nanoparticles

Resumo

© 2026 The Author(s). International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Ceramics Society.Multicomponent mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MMBGs) were engineered to enable coupled ionic and molecular release for controlled ionic and molecular release applications. The nanoparticles (70SiO2–20CaO–4B2O3–3ZnO–3CuO, mol%) were synthesized via a microemulsion-assisted sol–gel route, yielding spherical particles (∼560 nm) with high specific surface area (∼135 m2·g−1) and well-defined mesoporosity. Curcumin was successfully incorporated (∼6 wt%), resulting in reduced surface area and pore volume, consistent with mesopore occupation. Release studies in simulated body fluid revealed a biphasic profile, with ∼80% of curcumin released within 50 h, followed by a sustained release regime. The release behavior is governed by the coupling between glass network depolymerization and mesopore-mediated diffusion. Concurrently, dissolution studies evidenced the progressive release of ionic species (Si, Ca, Zn, Cu, and B), accompanied by pH evolution and surface transformations associated with silica gel formation and apatite nucleation. Structural and surface analyses (XRD, FTIR, XPS, and N2 physisorption) confirmed the preservation of the amorphous network and the role of network-modifying ions in controlling dissolution kinetics. These findings establish a structure–function relationship linking glass composition, structural evolution, and transport processes, highlighting the potential of MMBGs as tunable platforms for controlled ionic and molecular release governed by composition and structure.

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