Crystallization heat treatment curves of barium disilicate glass / Curvas de tratamento térmico de cristalização de vidro de dissilicato de bário

The transformation of glasses into glass-ceramics by heat treatment has been widely studied to increase the toughness of glasses. Barium disilicate is a material that can be toughened this way, greatly increasing its range of applications. To predict the fraction of crystals as a function of heat treatment time and temperature, it is necessary to draw the curves relating these three quantities. For this, data on the nucleation rate and growth rate of barium disilicate crystals were obtained from the literature and processed in order to obtain equations as a function of temperature. These equations were applied to the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami (JMA) equation and integrated in the intervals corresponding to the isothermal treatments, constant cooling from the melting temperature and constant heating from the glass transition temperature, thus obtaining the curves for these three types of heat treatment. 

Compositional optimization for molding of bioactive glasses in the SiO2-Na2O-CaO-P2O5 system/ Otimização da composição para moldagem de vidros bioativos no sistema SiO2-Na2O-CaO-P2O5

This paper shows the determination of the most energy efficient composition for molding of bioglasses in the SiO2 -Na2O-CaO-P2O5 system. Ten compositions were formulated in the range where the glass has a bioactivity index greater than 8 and the curves of viscosity as a function of temperature were drawn using the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann (VFT) equation. Analyzing the curves, the composition 43SiO2 -30CaO-21Na2O-6P2O5 has the lowest viscosity over the entire working temperature range, requiring less heat to be molded and consequently consuming less energy in the ovens

Synthesis and optical and structural characterization of Ce(1-x)O2:MxO(M=Cu, Co) pigments

The synthesis of pigments from the system Ce1-x O2-M x O (M = Cu, Co) was achieved via a polymeric precursors method, Pechini method. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG) techniques were used to accurately characterize the distinct thermal events occurring during synthesis. The TG and DSC results revealed a series of decomposition temperatures due to different exothermal events, which were identified as H2O elimination, organic compounds degradation, and phase formation. X-Ray diffraction patterns show the presence of pure cubic CeO2 phase for the samples with low Cu and Co loading. A decrease of the specific surface area with increasing copper and cobalt content was observed. The UV-visible diffuse reflectance technique was employed to study the optical properties in the 200-800 nm range. Colorimetric coordinates L*, a*, b* were calculated for the pigment powders. The powders presented a variety of colors from yellow for pure CeO2, to brown for the ones loaded with copper and gray for the ones with cobalt.FAPESPCAPESCNP

Influence of the pH on Al2O3:CuO pigments prepared by a polymeric precursor method

Copper (II) aluminate, CuAl2O4, which is known to be an inverse spinel contains a d9 metal ion and possesses interesting electronic, magnetic and catalytic properties and is used in industry as ceramic pigments, coatings and catalysts. Al2O3 with 10 mol% Cu (AlCu10) was synthesized by the polymeric precursor method varying the pH of the precursor solution with addition of ammonium hydroxide and ethylenediamine. It was shown that the pyrolysis of the polymeric chain occurs in higher temperatures for samples prepared in higher values of pH. The colorimetric coordinates exhibit dependence with pH and with the increase of annealing temperature. AlCu10 samples prepared with higher values of pH present lower values of colorimetric coordinates, indicating alterations in its color. The luminosity parameters L* increase also as a function of pH.CNPqFAPES

Electrophoretic deposition of BaTi0.85Zr0.15O3 nanopowders

The present study reports the results of thick films (20-130 μm) produced through electrophoretic deposition of BaTi0.85Zr0.15O3 (BTZ) nanometric powders synthesized by the Pechini’s method. The BTZ powderscalcined at 600°C/2h presented a single crystalline phase with an average particle size of ~20nm. To thick films deposition, a stable suspension of acetylacetone (Acac) and ethanol (EtOH)was prepared and the powder was deposited on platinum substrates. The viscosity of BTZ powders suspensions as a function of operational pH (OpH)was measured and the reactions between nanoparticles and the media were discussed. A milling process was used to deagglomerate the powders and it had a great influence in the suspension stability and deposition of thick films. Dense and crack-free thick films were obtained after sintering at 1220 °C/1h. The dielectric properties results, comparable with those of bulk BTZ ceramics, suggested potential applications of the EPD process for the deposition of ferroelectric/piezoelectric thick films.FAPESPFAPITEC/SECNPqCAPE

Radiopacity and cytotoxicity of Portland cement associated with niobium oxide micro and nanoparticles

Objective Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) is composed of Portland Cement (PC) and bismuth oxide (BO). Replacing BO for niobium oxide (NbO) microparticles (Nbµ) or nanoparticles (Nbη) may improve radiopacity and bioactivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiopacity and cytotoxicity of the materials: 1) PC; 2) White MTA; 3) PC+30% Nbµ; 4) PC+30% Nbη. Material and Methods For the radiopacity test, specimens of the different materials were radiographed along an aluminum step-wedge. For cell culture assays, Saos-2 osteoblastic-cells (ATCC HTB-85) were used. Cell viability was evaluated through MTT assay, and bioactivity was assessed by alkaline phosphatase activity assay. Results The results demonstrated higher radiopacity for MTA, followed by Nbµ and Nbη, which had similar values. Cell culture analysis showed that PC and PC+NbO associations promoted greater cell viability than MTA. Conclusions It was concluded that the combination of PC+NbO is a potential alternative for composition of MTA

Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on Physicochemical and Antibacterial Properties of Calcium Silicate Cements

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Portland cement (PC) are calcium silicate cements. They have similar physicochemical, mechanical and biological properties. The addition of zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 ) to PC provides radiopacity. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) may improve some properties of cements. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of AgNPs on physicochemical/mechanical properties and antibacterial activity of white MTA (WMTA) and PC associated with ZrO 2 . The following materials were evaluated: WMTA; PC 70% + ZrO 2 30%; WMTA+ AgNPs; and PC 70% + ZrO 2 30% + AgNPs. The study evaluated radiopacity, setting time, pH, compressive strength and solubility. For radiopacity analysis, radiographs were made alongside an aluminum (Al) step wedge. To evaluate the antibacterial activity, direct contact test was performed on planktonic cells and Enterococcus faecalis biofilm induced on bovine root dentin for 14 days. The experimental periods were 5 and 15 h. Data were obtained as CFU mL -1 . The obtained data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey tests (p<0.05). The addition of AgNPs to WMTA increased the pH, lowered the solubility and the initial and final setting times. The addition of AgNPs to PC/ZrO 2 maintained the pH, lowered the solubility, and increased the setting time and compressive strength. The radiopacity of all materials was higher than 4 mmAl. The addition of AgNPs promoted an increase in antibacterial activity for calcium silicate cements and favored the physicochemical and mechanical properties of the materials

CeO2 nanoparticles synthesized by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method: evolution from nanospheres to nanorods

Ceria (CeO2) plays a vital role in emerging technologies for environmental and energy-related applications. The catalytic efficiency of ceria nanoparticles depends on its morphology. In this study, CeO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method under different synthesis temperatures. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman scattering spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method. The X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering results indicated that all the synthesized samples had a pure cubic CeO2 structure. Rietveld analysis and Raman scattering also revealed the presence of structural defects due to an associated reduction in the valence of the Ce4+ ions to Ce3+ ions caused by an increasing molar fraction of oxygen vacancies. The morphology of the samples was controlled by varying the synthesis temperature. The TEM images show that samples synthesized at 80 degrees C consisted of spherical particles of about 5 nm, while those synthesized at 120 degrees C presented a mix of spherical and rod-like nanoparticles and the sample synthesized at 160 degrees C consisted of nanorods with 10 nm average diameter and 70 nm length. The microwave-assisted method proved to be highly efficient for the synthesis of CeO2 nanoparticles with different morphologies.FAPESPCNP

Effect of Zirconium Oxide and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Physicochemical Properties and Antibiofilm Activity of a Calcium Silicate-Based Material

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibiofilm activity against Enterococcus faecalis, compressive strength. and radiopacity of Portland cement (PC) added to zirconium oxide (ZrO2), as radiopacifier, with or without nanoparticulated zinc oxide (ZnO). The following experimental materials were evaluated: PC, PC + ZrO2, PC + ZrO2 + ZnO (5%), and PC + ZrO2 + ZnO (10%). Antibiofilm activity was analyzed by using direct contact test (DCT) on Enterococcus faecalis biofilm, for 5 h or 15 h. The analysis was conducted by using the number of colony-forming units (CFU/mL). The compressive strength was performed in a mechanical testing machine. For the radiopacity tests, the specimens were radiographed together with an aluminium stepwedge. The results were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey tests, with level of significance at 5%. The results showed that all materials presented similar antibiofilm activity (P > 0.05). The addition of nanoparticulated ZnO decreased the compressive strength of PC. All materials presented higher radiopacity than pure PC. It can be concluded that the addition of ZrO2 and ZnO does not interfere with the antibiofilm activity and provides radiopacity to Portland cement. However, the presence of ZnO (5% or 10%) significantly decreased the compressive strength of the materials