TiO2-doped borate glass and glass-ceramic: properties and prospects for biological and electrical applications

This study explores the synthesis, characterization, and potential applications of TiO₂-doped borate glasses and their glass-ceramics, focusing on their biological and electrical properties. Examining the impact of varying the TiO₂ content on the structural, electrical, and antimicrobial properties of the prepared samples was done. X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), density, and Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) were employed to analyze the material's structural integrity and phase transitions. The AC conductivity (σ_ac) was measured within the frequency range of 0.042 kHz-1 MHz and at the temperature range of 298-573 (K). The estimated DC conductivity proved that incorporating of TiO₂ at the expense of BaO results in higher conductivity values than those of the free glass and glass ceramic samples. The prepared samples exhibited a semiconducting nature. The dielectric constant (ɛ') values increase upon doping with TiO₂. The incorporation of TiO₂ improved the bioactivity (antimicrobial) of the studied glasses, making it suitable for biomedical applications such as drug delivery and tissue engineering. Also, the long-term stability and cytotoxicity were evaluated. The results indicate that TiO₂-doped borate glasses and glass-ceramics present a promising avenue for the development of multifunctional materials that meet the demands of both biological and electrical applications.