LAUSR

Abstract Ordered hexagonal mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) are synthesized by an evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) method using tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), calcium nitrate tetrahydrate (Ca(NO3)2.4H2O) and triethyl phosphate (TEP) as the silicon, calcium, phosphorous sources, respectively, and pluronic P123 as the structure directing agent. The influences of P123, TEOS, TEP, and Ca(NO3)2.4H2O on the structural order and pore size of MBGs at different environmental conditions are studied. The prepared MBGs are characterized by the small angle X-ray diffraction (SXRD), N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The study revealed that polymerization degree of inorganic precursors should be low enough at the initial assembling stage of inorganic species with organic surfactants to form highly ordered mesoporous structure. Concentration of Ca(NO3)2 governs the formation of ordered mesostructure in MBGs by complexation of Ca2+ with the hydrophilic group of surfactant P123. Isothermal aging also plays an important role in the formation of highly ordered MBGs as it permits formation of rigid inorganic framework.