Vol.:(0123456789) Silicon (2025) 17:873–887 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-025-03229-3 RESEARCH Engineered Calcium Silicate‑Hexaboride Biocomposites: A Versatile Platform for Personalized Orthopedic Therapies Gehan T. El‑Bassyouni 1  · Shaimaa ElShebiney 2  · Reda Korany 3  · Mostafa Mabrouk 1  · Ahmed Soliman 4  · Hussein Darwish 5  · Sayed Kenawy 1  · Esmat Hamzawy 5 Received: 16 September 2024 / Accepted: 20 January 2025 / Published online: 13 February 2025 © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2025 Abstract Developing and evaluating enhanced biocomposites for medication delivery and bone regeneration is the main goal of this research. A unique wet precipitation chemical process was used to create calcium silicate (CaO–SiO₂) biocomposites, with dif- ferent amounts of calcium hexaboride (CaB₆) incorporated as an additive. The biocomposite samples were subjected to varying compositions, and their physicochemical properties were assessed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and zeta potential tests. The samples' microstructures show submicron and nanoscale particles scattered or arranged in regular or irregular clusters. After adding CaB 6 , the tested biocomposites' negative zeta potential dropped because of the positively charged Ca 2+ ions from the compound on the material's surface. The biocomposites' drug loading and release capacities were assessed using the anti-cancer medication of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The biocomposites were evaluated for their capacity to regenerate bone through in vivo experiments conducted on a rat model. The healing score (7 for the WB7.5 sample) and the degree of bone formation were compared with the concentration of CaB₆ in the bio-composites. The findings revealed that the presence of CaB₆ had a substantial impact on both the healing score and bone formation. Increased amounts of CaB₆ resulted in higher healing scores and better bone production. Moreover, the bio-composites demonstrated prolonged drug release profiles (up to 45% after 30 days of immersion), indicating their potential as efficient drug carriers for localized bone treatments. The results emphasize the vital importance of CaB₆ in facilitating the process of bone repair and production using calcium silicate bio-composites. The biocomposites that have been produced show promise for bone regeneration applications. Patient outcomes may benefit from their ability to encourage bone growth and aid in healing. Keywords Calcium silicate, CaB 6  · Biocomposite · Drug delivery · Cytotoxicity · In-Vivo test 1 Introduction Calcium silicate (CaO-SiO 2 ) is regarded as a compelling ceramic material due to its unique characteristics [1]. Conse- quently, it is applicable in various domains, such as medical engineering, tissue engineering, and bone-tissue-related appli- cations [2]. The main production method for calcium silicate ceramics is a straightforward and reliable modified wet pre- cipitation chemical process. This method ensured excellent consistency, regulation of composition, and a low handling temperature, resulting in a highly reactive powder [3]. The slips containing calcium silicate were found to have a higher alkalinity, which may influence the rheological properties, as noted by Mahdy et al. [4]. Zhao et al. reported that wollas- tonite, composed primarily of SiO 2 and CaO, has introduced novel approaches to bone fracture repair [5]. In 2014, Wang et al., identified wollastonite as a bone filler with exceptional * Hussein Darwish husseinnrc@gmail.com 1 Refractories, Ceramics and Building Materials Department, National Research Centre (NRC), 33-El Buhouth St, Dokki, P.O. 12622, Giza, Egypt 2 Narcotics, Ergogenics, and Poisons Department, NRC, 33-El-Buhouth St., Dokki, P.O. 12622, Giza, Egypt 3 Pathology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, P.O. 12211, Giza, Egypt 4 Pharmacognosy Department, NRC, 33-El Buhouth St. Dokki, P.O. 12622, Giza, Egypt 5 Glass Research Department, NRC, 33-El Buhouth St., Dokki, P.O. 12622, Giza, Egypt Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.