Ferrimagnetic devitrified glass doped with copper by ion exchange: Microstructure, bioactivity and antibacterial properties

In this work, the ion-exchange technique in molten salts was investigated to introduce copper ions in a bioactive and ferrimagnetic devitrified glass. This approach aimed to develop a magnetic and bioactive material for oncologic bone implants, able to join the ability to promote bone bonding to hyperthermic therapy while simultaneously lowering the risk of developing post-surgery infections. The ion-exchange approach was developed in order to overcome experimental critical issues related to the influence of copper introduction as a starting reagent, during the material synthesis, on magnetite nucleation.