The preparation of PDMS–TEOS–CaO hybrid materials by sol–gel techniques has been widely described in
previous works. Calcium nitrate is the most common source of calcium used in these preparations.
However, to remove possible toxic nitrate by-products a thermal treatment is necessary at temperatures
above 500 1C, which leads to the degradation of the polymeric components of the hybrids. Strontium has
already shown some promising results in the therapeutic area, being used in cases of osteoporosis and low
bone density. In this study a new potential bioactive hybrid material was prepared, by sol–gel techniques,
using calcium acetate as a novel calcium source. Also, for the first time, incorporation of strontium in a
PDMS–TEOS hybrid system was evaluated. Samples were characterized before and after immersion in
Kokubo’s Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) by SEM, EDS, ICP and FT-IR spectroscopy