Correlação entre grau de conversão, microdureza e conteúdo inorgânico em compósitos

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between degree of conversion and microhardness in dental composites, as well as the effect of the inorganic content and type of photo-curing unit on these parameters. Three indirect composites (ArtglassTM, SolidexTM and Zeta LCTM) were polymerized by means of three different laboratorial units (UniXSTM, SolidiliteTM and an experimental device). For each material, fifteen samples were prepared using a metal matrix. The degree of conversion was analyzed by means of infrared spectroscopy, and microhardness was also assessed. The inorganic content was measured by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The Pearsons test was carried out in order to determine correlations. The degree of conversion of ArtglassTM ranged from 37.5% to 79.2%, and its microhardness, from 32.4 to 50.3 (r = 0.904). The degree of conversion of SolidexTM ranged from 41.2% to 60.4%, and its microhardness, from 33.3 to 44.1 (r = 0.707). The degree of conversion and the microhardness of Zeta LCTM ranged from 62.0% to 78.0% and from 22.6 to 33.6, respectively (r = 0.710). It was concluded that the utilization of different photo-curing units caused variations on the degree of conversion, as a result of specific characteristics of each unit. For each material, there was strong correlation between the degree of conversion and microhardness. In addition, when different materials were compared, microhardness was more affected by filler content than by the degree of conversion.Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a correlação entre grau de conversão e microdureza em resinas compostas, e o efeito do conteúdo de partículas e do tipo de unidade fotoativadora sobre esses parâmetros. Três resinas compostas (Artglass®, Solidex® e Zeta LC®) foram polimerizadas em três diferentes unidades laboratoriais (UniXS®, Solidilite® e unidade Experimental). Para cada material, quinze corpos-de-prova foram confeccionados em uma matriz metálica, e submetidos às análises do grau de conversão, através de espectroscopia de infravermelho, e da microdureza. O conteúdo de partículas inorgânicas foi determinado por análise termogravimétrica (TGA). O comportamento conjunto das variáveis - grau de conversão e microdureza - foi medido através do coeficiente de correlação de Pearson. Para a resina Artglass®, o grau de conversão variou de 37,5% a 79,2%, com valores de microdureza de 32,4 a 50,3 (r = 0,904). Para a resina Solidex®, o grau de conversão variou de 41,2% a 60,4%, com valores de microdureza de 33,3 a 44,1 (r = 0,707). Para a resina Zeta LC®, os valores de conversão e microdureza foram, respectivamente, de 62,0% a 78,0% e de 22,6 a 33,6 (r = 0,710). Concluiu-se que o uso das diferentes unidades resultou em variações dos valores de conversão em função das características específicas de cada unidade. Para cada material, uma forte correlação entre conversão e microdureza foi observada. Além disso, quando materiais diferentes foram comparados, observou-se que o conteúdo de partículas inorgânicas afetou diretamente os valores de microdureza, não interferindo no grau de conversão

Tuning the structure and properties of cell-embedded gelatin hydrogels for tumor organoids

Abstract Tumor organoids have great potential as a 3D in vitro system to model cancer. In this work, we studied how the structure of hydrogels based on gelatin with methacryloyl groups (GeIMA) can affect their usage in tumor organoids. To this end, gelatin hydrogels with different levels of methacrylation and with cellulose nanocrystals (NCC) or reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were prepared and used to encapsulate human colon carcinoma cells (RKO). Mechanical properties of the hydrogels were measured in dynamic conditions at 37°C and water. Results showed that NCC was able to provide higher mechanical stability to the hydrogels. RKO cells embedded in GelMA were able to proliferate within the hydrogels, leading to the formation of groups of cells after 48 h. GelMA with higher crosslink densities and NCC tended to show higher cell population as possibly due to the higher level of stability and rigidity displayed by these hydrogels

Evaluation of the interactions between polymeric chains and surfaces with different structures performed by an atomic force microscope

Interactions between polymers and inorganic surfaces are present in a series of phenomena involving processes such as coagulation and deffloculation of ceramic powder and adsorption of organic macromolecules on the surface of implants, among others. In this work, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was modified to allow the evaluation of interactions between polymeric chains and inorganic surfaces (silica) with different structures. Polymers (sulfonated polysulfone) were grafted onto AFM cantilevers. AFM force-distance curves were obtained for this modified tip against a series of substrates produced by depositing silica films on silicon wafers. The structure of the silica layer was modified by employing heat treatments at different temperatures. The results showed that the interactions between polymer and surfaces are dependent on the structure of the surfaces. Penetration of the polymeric chains can occur through a soft gel layer (substrates treated at low temperature, 110 °C). For surfaces with dense silica layers, the results showed that not only the concentration of hydroxy groups but also their spatial distribution along the surfaces are important in defining the magnitude of interactions between polymers and surfaces. A model involving a molecular recognition process, in which interactions are maximized for inorganic surfaces with structures that can match the chemical architecture of the polymer, was then used to explain the obtained results

Controlled modification of the structure of polymer surfaces by chemically grafting inorganic species

Many chemical and physical methods, such as plasma, e-beam, sputtering, CVD and others, have been used to modify the structure of polymer surfaces by depositing thin inorganic films. Most of these techniques are based upon the use of high energy sources that ultimately can damage either chemically or physically polymer surfaces. Moreover, these methods are usually not versatile enough to allow the design of structurally and chemically tailored surfaces through the control of the distribution of chemical functionalities throughout the surface. In this work, inorganic species were introduced onto polymer substrates in a controlled manner by performing a sequence of chemical reactions at the surface. Sulfonation followed by silanization reactions were used to graft alkoxysilane species at the surface of poly(aryl sulfones). The heterogeneous chemical modification of poly(aryl sulfones) was monitored by FTIR-ATR (Attenuated Total Reflection - FTIR). Model compounds were used to study the chemical reactions occurring during the grafting procedure. The results showed that the developed procedure can allow a controlled introduction of inorganic species onto polymer surfaces. Furthermore, in order to prove that this procedure enables the deposition of specific chemical functionalities onto polymer surfaces that can be used to create chemically and structurally tailored surfaces, silicate films were deposited on previously silanated PAS bioactive glass composites. In vitro tests showed that the surface modified composite can enhance the rates of hydroxy-carbonate-apatite precipitation

Layer-by-Layer technique employed to construct multitask interfaces in polymer composites

Abstract The properties of glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites are closely related to the fiber-matrix interface. Interfacial treatments to improve mechanical properties are usually limited to enhance interfacial adhesion. In this work, Layer-by-Layer (LbL) technique was introduced to build a novel interface in polymer composites. Different numbers of bilayers of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) with carbon nanotubes were deposited through LbL on the surface of woven glass fibers (GFs). Polypropylene composites containing the modified GFs were prepared by compression molding. Thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy proved that multilayers of polymers with carbon nanotubes could be deposited on GFs surface. Mechanical tests on composites with modified GFs revealed an increase in Flexural Modulus and toughness. The overall results attested that the LbL technique can be used to design interfaces with different compositions to perform diverse tasks, such as to improve the stiffness of composites and to encapsulate active nanocomponents

Layer-by-Layer technique employed to construct multitask interfaces in polymer composites

<div><p>Abstract The properties of glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites are closely related to the fiber-matrix interface. Interfacial treatments to improve mechanical properties are usually limited to enhance interfacial adhesion. In this work, Layer-by-Layer (LbL) technique was introduced to build a novel interface in polymer composites. Different numbers of bilayers of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) with carbon nanotubes were deposited through LbL on the surface of woven glass fibers (GFs). Polypropylene composites containing the modified GFs were prepared by compression molding. Thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy proved that multilayers of polymers with carbon nanotubes could be deposited on GFs surface. Mechanical tests on composites with modified GFs revealed an increase in Flexural Modulus and toughness. The overall results attested that the LbL technique can be used to design interfaces with different compositions to perform diverse tasks, such as to improve the stiffness of composites and to encapsulate active nanocomponents.</p></div

Efeito da incorporação de nanopartículas de TiO2 na estrutura e propriedades de blendas de polipropileno e poli(hidroxibutirato) submetidas a testes de envelhecimento acelerado

O polipropileno (PP) tem uma degradação natural lenta e representa um importante constituinte na gestão dos resíduos sólidos, enquanto o poli(hidroxibutirato) (PHB) é um polímero biodegradável, mas tem as desvantagens de dificuldade de processamento e custo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de nanopartículas de TiO2, do método de processamento e do envelhecimento acelerado na estrutura e propriedades da mistura PP/PHB/TiO2. As amostras foram produzidas por etapas de extrusão e injeção e foram caracterizadas por MEV/EDS, FTIR e análise térmica. Os resultados mostraram que a incorporação de 3% de nanopartículas de TiO2 levou a um aumento do tamanho médio da fase dispersa rica em PHB. A mudança na sequência da adição de nanopartículas de TiO2 permitiu guiar a incorporação desses nanocomponentes para a fase rica em PP. As misturas produzidas se mostraram mais estáveis termicamente do que PHB puro e a adição de TiO2 foi eficaz em aumentar a estabilidade térmica dos compósitos. As análises termogravimétricas e por FTIR mostraram que blendas contendo nanopartículas de TiO2 tiveram sua degradação mais afetada nos ensaios de envelhecimento acelerado. Os ensaios de extração com solvente mostraram que um maior conteúdo de produtos de fotodegradação puderam ser extraídos de amostras contendo mais elevadas concentrações de TiO2