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

Abstract 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 (σac) 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 (ɛʹ) 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.