Mechanical and biological evaluation of β-dicalcium silicate/dicalcium phosphate-based cements: promising materials for biomedical applications

This study explores the synthesis and evaluation of β-Dicalcium silicate and Dicalcium phosphate-based cements for biomedical use. β-Tricalcium phosphate was synthesized using microwave-assisted wet precipitation, while β-Dicalcium silicate was prepared via the sol-gel method. Composites with varying β-Dicalcium silicate contents (20%, 30%, 40%) were formulated and characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and Field emission scanning electron microscope analyses. The 40% β-Dicalcium silicate composite showed the highest compressive strength at 10.22 MPa. Antibacterial tests against Staphylococcus aureus revealed that gentamicin-loaded Dicalcium phosphate cement had superior properties. Cytotoxicity studies using the Osteogenic sarcoma cell line revealed that the β-Dicalcium Silicate /Dicalcium Phosphate composites supported better cell viability compared to pure Dicalcium phosphate cement, with the 20% β-Dicalcium silicate /Dicalcium phosphate composition being the most effective in promoting cell growth. These findings suggest that β-Dicalcium silicate /Dicalcium phosphate composites hold promise for biomedical applications.