Click Chemistry: A Potential Platform for Development of Novel Dental Restorative Materials

The main aim of this study is to develop novel polymer modified glass-ionomer cement (GIC) glasses utilizing click chemistry and RAFT polymerization. These novel glasses can serve as a platform to improve the properties of GIC's by incorporating chemistries and formulations that are not normally compatible with GIC's. Aluminofluoro-silicate glasses utilized in glass-ionomer dental cements were coated with azide terminated silane groups. In addition, a copolymer of acrylic acid-itaconic acid containing alkyne groups was synthesized by RAFT polymerization and was coupled via ‘click’ chemistry with the azide-coated GIC glass particles. FT-IR spectroscopy was used to characterize the synthesized materials and to confirm completion of the ‘click’ coupling reaction. The experimental cements cured, demonstrating that these modified glasses could be utilized in GIC formulations. The long setting and working times compared to control groups indicate that further improvements are necessary to fully utilize this chemistry. Our initial results in this study demonstrated the successful application of click chemistry in developing novel dental restorative materials, specifically glass-ionomer cements.     

Improvement of acid resistance of Portland cement pastes using rice husk ash and cement kiln dust as additives

This paper represents a laboratory study on the acid resistance of hardened ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and blended OPC pastes at two different curing temperatures. The blended materials used are rice husk ash (RHA) and cement kiln dust (CKD). The blended cement pastes were prepared using a water/solid (W/S) ratio of 0.3. The effects of immersion in deionized water (pH 7) and sulfuric acid solutions (pH 1, 2 and 3) at two temperatures (20 and 50 °C) on the compressive strength and phase composition of the various hardened blended cement pastes were studied. The results of compressive strength revealed that the increase of curing temperature from 20 to 50 °C resulted in increase the reduction of compressive strength due to acid attack up 2 months, but the resistance to sulfuric acid attack increases after that time due to the formation of crystalline calcium silicate hydrates (CSH) which have higher resistance to acid attack than the amorphous CSH formed at the early ages of hydration. The presence of RHA and CKD improves the resistance to sulfuric acid attack at both curing conditions. From the results of X-ray diffraction analysis and differential scanning calorimetric technique curves, the main hydration products identified are CSH, portlandite, and calcium sulfoaluminate hydrates.     

Thermal analysis of contemporary glass-ionomer restorative materials

The thermal characteristics of four conventional glass-ionomer cement (GIC) dental restorative products as well as five resin-modified glass-ionomer (RMGI) materials over 1-year of storage were investigated. All materials were prepared following manufacturer’s recommendations and placed into 40 μL aluminum differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) crucibles. Samples (n = 5) were stored at 37 °C and 98 ± 2 % humidity until their appointed time of evaluation at which they were first subjected to specific heat analysis using DSC over 20–60 °C that was immediately followed by a 37–600 °C thermal scan at 10 °C min^?1. Samples were evaluated immediately after preparation, at 24 h, 1 week, 1 month, as well as at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Mean thermal results were compared with analysis of variance and Scheffe post-hoc testing (p = 0.05). All materials absorbed water during storage. Conventional GIC materials demonstrated increased polyalkenoate polymer maturity over the 12-month storage. The paste–paste RMGI materials, absorbed more water during storage and had increased specific heat values compared to powder–liquid RMGI materials. Of the RMGI materials investigated, only two materials demonstrated evidence of a continuing polyalkenoate matrix maturity that was within the limitations of the technology used, indicating the resin component in some newer formulations of RMGI restorative materials may severely limit the polyalkenoate reaction.     

Comparison of Mercury Vapor Pressure of Silver Amalgam-Based Electrode Materials Using AAS

Nowadays, several amalgam-based electrodes are commonly used in electrochemistry as a less toxic alternative to mercury electrodes. Therefore, a comparison of the mercury vapor pressure of several silver amalgam-based electrode materials with the mercury vapor pressure of liquid mercury and of dental amalgam using AAS was done in this study. Method was optimized to get the highest mercury signal. Results showed that the mercury vapor pressure of amalgam-based electrode materials not containing liquid mercury is far lower than the mercury vapor pressure of liquid mercury (about two orders of signal magnitude) and comparable with mercury vapor pressure of dental amalgam.     

二维六方p6mm有序介孔WO_3-TiO_2复合材料的制备及其可见光光催化性能

以非离子型表面活性剂为模板剂,采用蒸发诱导自组装法制备了一系列不同WO3含量的有序介孔WO3-TiO2复合材料,并表征了其孔结构、形貌、孔隙率、光谱性质及组成.结果表明,该材料呈二维六方p6mm对称和锐钛矿晶相结构;与无序WO3-TiO2复合材料相比,其比表面积(152～154m2/g)更大,孔径更均一(5.3nm),且比纯TiO2的帯隙宽度(3.0eV)更窄.将该WO3-TiO2样品用于可见光光催化降解水相中罗丹明B和2,4-二氯苯氧乙酸的反应中,发现WO3含量适当的有序介孔WO3-TiO2样品的光催化活性比无序的样品和纯TiO2的更高.     

A 3D printable self-healing composite conductive polymer for sensitive temperature detection

Recent development of self-healing material has attracted tremendous attention,owing to its biomimetic ability to restore structure and functionality when encountering damages.Here,we develop a threedimensional(3D)printable self-healing composite conductive polymer by mixing hydrogen-bond-based supramolecular polymer with low-cost carbon black.It has a room-temperature self-healing capability in both conductivity and mechanical property,while its shear-thinning behavior enables fabrication of a self-healable circuit by 3D printing technology.As an application,the circuit shows an excellent temperature-dependent behavior of the resistance,indicating its great potential fo r practical application in the artificial intelligence field.     

Synthesis of amino acid-containing polyacids and their application in self-cured glass-ionomer cement

Six methacrylate or acrylate derivatives of natural amino acids were synthesized and characterized. Based upon these monomers, six terpolymers [poly(acrylic) acid-co-itaconic acid-co-amino acid] were prepared and characterized. The synthesized polymers were used to formulate glass-ionomer cements (GICs) using Fuji II glass filler. The effects of the molecular weight (MW) and powder/liquid (P/L) ratio were evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the fracture surfaces of the selected cement specimens. Results show that all the amino acid modified GICs exhibited higher compressive strengths (CS, 193-236 MPa) and much higher flexural strengths (FS, 55-71 MPa) as compared to commercial Fuji II GIC (191 in CS and 16 in FS). Both MW and P/L ratio affected the strength of the formed cement. It was important to find the optimal MW and P/L ratio to obtain the highest FS. In this study, optimized MW (number average) of the polyacids and P/L ratio were around 50,000 and 2.7/1, respectively. The microstructures of the fracture surfaces helped to explain the strength differences among the materials tested in the study. SEM analysis suggests that more integrated microstructures and fewer defects can lead to higher FS.     

Study on permeation behavior and chemical degradation of PA66 in acid solution

In many polymers under corrosive liquids, degradation followed after permeation of environmental solution for a long period. The permeation rate of environmental solution, in many cases, is very low in corrosion-resistant polymeric materials. Therefore, the observation of the permeation of environmental solution and degradation of polymeric materials are very difficult in practical application. A simulation of permeation of solution is required in order to understand the permeation behavior of environmental solution and polymer degradation. A detailed analysis of the permeation behavior of solution accompanied by chemical reaction is important to study for improving the lifetime of polymers. Polyamide 66 (PA66) and sulfuric acid solution were used to investigate the quantitative study of permeation of environmental solution and its relation to degradation of polymeric materials. Correlation between diffusion process and degradation of PA66 related to the decrease of weight average molecular weight was defined. The diffusion rate of sulfuric acid solution was found to increase by decreasing weight average molecular weight of PA66 due to the established chain scission by hydrolysis reaction. The permeation of sulfuric acid solution that affected the decomposition reaction was modeled and quantitative evaluation of permeation of sulfuric acid was established.     

Electrocatalytic Properties of a Composite Based on Cobalt Porphyrin Pyropolymer and Nafion

Methods for the formation of composite polymer materials that comprise cobalt porphyrin pyrolized on carbon black and a proton-conducting polyelectrolyte, are proposed. Electrocatalytic activity of these materials in the cathodic reduction of oxygen in a free sulfuric acid electrolyte is studied using a floating gas diffusion electrode and a rotating electrode.     

电位滴定法测定抛光液中的三酸含量

探讨了利用自动电位滴定仪对抛光液中磷酸、硫酸及硝酸的分析方法,以及对溶剂的标定方法。电位滴定法测定三酸,先用硫酸亚铁铵滴定硝酸,再用氢氧化钠滴定磷酸和硫酸,从而计算三酸含量。结果表明,与传统滴定法相比,电位滴定法标定硫酸亚铁铵的相对标准偏差(RSD)从1.1%降至0.13%,标定氢氧化钠的RSD从0.72%降至0.06%。电位滴定法测定自配样品及工厂抛光产品中的硝酸,回收率分别在96%及93%以上。电位滴定法测定自配样品及工厂抛光产品中磷酸和硫酸的回收率偏差在3%以内。手动滴定法测定磷酸和硫酸的回收率偏差在5%~10%,回收效果不如电位滴定法。电位滴定法测定工厂抛光液的三酸加标回收率偏差均小于3%。自动电位滴定法比手工滴定的准确性和精密度明显提高,弥补了手工滴定法只能分析磷酸和硫酸,而无法测定硝酸的缺陷。     

Effect of Different Surface Treatment Methods on Bond Strength of Dental Ceramics to Dental Hard Tissues: A Systematic Review

For long-term successful use of ceramic materials in dental procedures, it is necessary to ensure reliable bonding of restorations to dental substrates. This can be achieved by the application of a proper luting cement and through additional surface conditioning. The present systematic review summarizes the most up-to-date evidence on the use of different surface modification methods to enhance the bond strength of dental ceramics to the hard tissues of the teeth. The authors of the review searched the Web of Science, Scopus, and MEDLINE databases to identify relevant articles published between 1 January 2010 and 1 January 2020. A total of 4892 records were identified, and after screening, the full text of 159 articles was evaluated, which finally resulted in the inclusion of 19 studies. The available reports were found to be heterogeneous in terms of materials and methodology, and therefore, only within-studies comparison was performed instead of comparison between studies. A statistically significant difference in the bond strength between the samples treated with different methods of surface conditioning, or between conditioned and nonconditioned samples, was revealed by most of the studies. Predominantly, the studies showed that a combination of mechanical and chemical methods was the most effective way of enhancing bond strength. Artificial aging and luting cement were also identified as the factors significantly influencing bond strength.     

The Determination of Trace Elements Release from Dental Cements in Artificial Saliva by Energy Dispersive X‐ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

Abstract

The application of energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescent analysis (EDXRF) for the determination of elements released from five different dental luting cements such as Zinc Polycarboxylate (Carbchem), Zinc carboxylate (Adhesor Carbofine), Glass ionomer (Meron), Resin cement (Duo‐cement kit), and Carboxylate (Durelon) in artificial saliva is described. The equipment used for this study is a Si(Li) detector, a multichanel analyser, an amplifier and ⁵⁵Fe and ²⁴¹Am radioisotope sources. The physical basis of the analytical method used the procedure of sample preparation and results are presented. The detected elements were Cl, P, K, Ca. The results show high concentrations of Ca being released from dental cements in artificial saliva. Chemical disintegration of dental cements can adversely affect their long‐term performance. Fixed prosthodontic restorations cemented with carboxylate cement (Durelon) may be capable of withstanding long‐term clinical use compared to other agents. This material showed the highest resistance to dissolution or disintegration.     

Bioscience and analytical thinking machines

Is science being limited by the restricted vision of the analytical scientist? Adrian Stevenson from the Institute of Biotechnology at University of Cambridge argues that human 3D visualisation abilities to find patterns are inadequate and that artificial intelligence may hold the vital key to understanding information dense biological systems.     

Microhardness of N-Vinylpyrrolidone Modified Glass-Ionomer Cements

ABSTRACT

The water soluble N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) monomer was used to prepare poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone-co-itaconic acid-co-acrylic acid) glass-ionomer copolymers, using a free-radical polymerization process. NVP modified terpolymer was mixed with glass powders from four commercial glass ionomer systems. Microhardness from the set cement was measured and compared to several commercial glass-ionomer systems. The Knoop hardness number (KHN) values were recorded on polished specimens conditioned for 48 hours and 7 days. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey-Kramer tests were used to determine the significant differences among the materials tested in each group. Among the four commercial cements, Ketac-Molar (KM) showed the highest value and α-Silver (AS) snowed the lowest value in KHN. Fuji II (F2) and α-Fil (AF) showed much the same values in KHN. At the same P/L ratio, NVP modified glass-ionomers showed higher KHN values than the AS, similar to the AF and F2, and lower than the KM. The effect of P/L ratios was evident and highest KHN values for each group were basically presented by the one with a higher P/L ratio. Higher P/W ratio did not improve the KHN for the AS and KM group, but improved the F2 group.     

硫酸分离–火试金重量法测定碲化铜中的金和银

建立了用硫酸分离-火试金重量法测定碲化铜中的金和银含量的方法。用硫酸溶解碲化铜样品,过滤,除去铜和碲,得到含金、银的沉淀物,沉淀物经灰化、配料、高温熔融制得铅扣。将铅扣灰吹,得到金银合粒,用硝酸溶解分离金,用重量法测定金含量。用金银合粒的质量扣除金粒的质量和分金液、洗液中杂质的质量即为银含量。采用灰皿、残渣熔融法补正,或用含碲、铜物料做基体加入纯金、纯银同试样方法测定,根据金、银的回收率加以补正,从而得到试样中的碲含量。实验结果表明,浓硫酸的加入量为30 mL,残余量应不少于15 mL。火试金中硅酸度为1左右,试样进炉温度以900℃为宜。该方法金、银测定结果的相对标准偏差分别为0.33%~1.97%,0.28%~1.27%(n=9)。金的回收率为98.5%~100.2%,银的回收率为95.5%~101.4%。该法满足生产控制检测和贸易结算的要求。     

Insight into hydration inhibition mechanism of amino trimethylene phosphonic acid on tricalcium silicate from first-principles calculations

Although amino trimethylene phosphoric acid (ATMP) has been widely used as a retarder for Portland cement, its effect on cement hydration is poorly understood at the atomic level. In this study, we combine static calculation and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulation to reveal the mechanism of the effect of ATMP on the initial stage of C₃S hydration from multiple perspectives, quantitatively analyze the structural reconstruction and charge migration at the ATMP/C₃S interface in the aqueous environment. By adsorbing on the surface of C₃S, ATMP occupies the adsorption site of water molecules. Compared with the pure C₃S surface, the addition of ATMP delays the hydroxylation of the C₃S surface and inhibits the formation of Ca-Ow bonds. This work gives new insights into understanding the hydration of C₃S with ATMP and offers new approach of designing new cement retarder at the molecular level.     

High-yield Carbonization of Cellulose by Sulfuric Acid Impregnation

The carbonization of cellulose with sulfuric acid impregnation was studied by thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The mass yield of carbon after 800°C treatment in nitrogen increased to 2–3 times by addition of small amounts of sulfuric acid. The sulfuric acid is considered to work as dehydration catalyst, thus suppressing the release of volatile organic substances. The shrinkage of the sample during carbonization was also significantly reduced by the addition of sulfuric acid.     

Amalgam Electrodes for Electroanalysis

Liquid mercury is a unique material for the indicator electrode in voltammetry. One reason for this is the high overvoltage for hydrogen formation, thus extending the actual potential window. Diluted amalgams are important reaction products in voltammetric (polarographic) processes, however liquid amalgams are rarely used directly as electrode material for analytical purposes. Because of the fact that voltammetry is very suitable for field and remote monitoring, issues concerning the use of mercury electrodes in environmental analyses have led to considerable research effort aimed at finding alternative tools with acceptable performance. Solid electrodes are such alternatives. Different types of electrodes are reviewed. In particular, solid amalgam electrodes are very promising, with acceptable low toxicity to be used for field measurements. Solid amalgam electrodes are easy and cheap to construct and are stable over a reasonable time up to several weeks. Assessment of the toxicity risk and the long time stability for remote and unattended monitoring is discussed. The differences between solid dental amalgam electrodes, made by using techniques known from dental clinical practice, and mercury film or mercury layer electrodes on solid substrates are reviewed. In particular the dental technique for constructing solid amalgam electrodes gives advantage because it's fast and inexpensive. Also the technique for making dental amalgam has been explored and optimized over years by dentists, giving advantage when the same technique is used for constructing electrodes. Dental amalgam electrodes has been found to act similar to a silver electrodes, but with high overvoltage towards hydrogen. This make it possible to use the dental amalgam electrode for detection of zinc, cobalt and nickel in additions to other metals like lead, copper, thallium, cadmium, bismuth, iron etc. Also the use for reducible organic compounds is expected to be promising.     

Ce3+/Ce4+电对在混酸(硫酸和甲磺酸)中的电化学行为

采用循环伏安、线性扫描、交流阻抗等技术研究了Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺电对在混酸(硫酸与甲磺酸)中的电化学行为,并对该体系在间接有机电合成中的应用进行了探索.结果表明：当硫酸和甲磺酸(MSA)浓度分别为0.8和1.0 mol·L^-1时,Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺电对具有最佳的电化学活性;在上述配比的混酸介质中,铈盐的溶解度得到了大幅提高,同时电解氧化铈(III)离子的电流效率较高（92.1%）,与纯硫酸体系中的电流效率接近（92.8%）,明显高于纯甲磺酸体系（78.5%）;该混酸介质中Ce⁴⁺在氧化茴香醚生成茴香醛这一过程中也表现出很好的氧化能力.     

Recent advances in electron tomography: TEM and HAADF-STEM tomography for materials science and semiconductor applications.

Electron tomography is a well-established technique for three-dimensional structure determination of (almost) amorphous specimens in life sciences applications. With the recent advances in nanotechnology and the semiconductor industry, there is also an increasing need for high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) structural information in physical sciences. In this article, we evaluate the capabilities and limitations of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-angle-annular-dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) tomography for the 3D structural characterization of partially crystalline to highly crystalline materials. Our analysis of catalysts, a hydrogen storage material, and different semiconductor devices shows that features with a diameter as small as 1-2 nm can be resolved in three dimensions by electron tomography. For partially crystalline materials with small single crystalline domains, bright-field TEM tomography provides reliable 3D structural information. HAADF-STEM tomography is more versatile and can also be used for high-resolution 3D imaging of highly crystalline materials such as semiconductor devices.