Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance of Biomaterials

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Biomaterials encompass a diverse range of chemical systems from bioactive catalysts to amorphous structural scaffolds with tremendous potential for chemically tuning specific functions. Identifying molecular-level structure of amorphous biomaterials is inherently difficult due to their disordered nature; historically, researchers have relied on a trial-and-error approach. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a non-destructive technique that is sensitive to the local chemical environment. This unique ability to probe locally and tune to specific nuclei has prompted NMR to become one of the most powerful structural tools at our disposal to study disordered biological and inorganic materials. Our proposed research is to use solid-state NMR spectroscopy to study glass ionomer cements as well as bioglasses and glass-ceramics. To improve biological function of glass ionomer cements and develop bioglasses capable of small molecule delivery requires a detailed understanding of how network-modifying elements affect bulk and surface structure at the biological:inorganic interface. Gaining a perspective on the structure-property relationships within these complex chemical systems will ultimate lead to our ability to design de novo materials. *** The target of this work is to understand how group III elements affect bioactive responses within phosphosilicate bioglasses currently used within the medical field to support damaged bones. Solid-state NMR will also be used to study glass ionomer cements used as mercury-free alternatives for restorative dental practices. As certain modifying cations present in these biomaterials are difficult to detect, the use of ultrahigh field NMR and the development of high-polarization approaches will be studied. Our intent is to identify the roles network-forming and modifying cations have in directing bioactivity using a tiered approach to research and student training. As physical chemists we provide the chemical foundations essential to assist the engineering community in bridging the structure-property gap and advance these materials in the dental and medical research fields. As such within the Canadian environment this research impacts the biomaterials community at large while providing other research fields (e.g., materials science, engineering, and earth science) pioneering methods to investigate local- and medium-range structure within disordered solids. **