Influence of polymer molecular weight on the properties of in situ synthesized silver–methylcellulose nanocomposite films with a CO₂ laser

We investigate the influence of polymer molecular weight on the properties of silver–methylcellulose (Ag–MC) nanocomposite films synthesized by the irradiation of a CO₂ laser. Although the reduction power of MC with a smaller molecular weight turns out to be stronger than that with a larger molecular weight in the solution phase, we do not see such a clear difference when MC is in the matrix phase. For the 30 s irradiation at the laser power of 0.8 W, the size of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) in the two types of MC matrix is similar, and it is about 30 nm. However, for the longer irradiation time at the same laser power, aggregation of Ag NPs set in, and it is more serious for the Ag–MC film with MC of larger molecular weight. We also carry out the antibacterial test with the Ag–MC films, and find that the Ag–MC film synthesized at the lower laser power and shorter irradiation time generally exhibits a stronger antibacterial effect

THE FRICTIONAL COEFFICIENTS IN TI-NB ALLOY

Objectives: To determine the frictional force (FF) of the novel, elastic, bendable titanium-niobium (Ti-Nb) alloy orthodontic wire in stainless steel (SS) brackets and to compare it with those of titanium-nickel (Ti-Ni) and titanium-molybdenum (Ti-Mo) alloy wires. Materials and Methods: Three sizes of Ti-Nb, Ti-Ni, and Ti-Mo alloy wires were ligated with elastic modules to 0.018-inch and 0.022-inch SS brackets. The dynamic FFs between the orthodontic wires and SS brackets were measured at three bracket-wire angles (0゜, 5゜, and 10゜) with an Instron 5567 loading apparatus (Canton, Mass). Results: FFs increased gradually with the angle and wire size. In the 0.018-inch-slot bracket, the dynamic FFs of Ti-Nb and Ti-Ni alloy wires were almost the same, and those of the Ti-Mo alloy wire were significantly greater (P<0.05). FF values were 1.5–2 times greater in the 0.022-inch-slot bracket than in the 0.018-inch-slot bracket, regardless of alloy wire type, and the Ti-Mo alloy wire showed the greatest FF. Scanning electric microscopic images showed that the surface of the Ti-Mo alloy wire was much rougher than that of the Ti-Ni and Ti-Nb alloy wires. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that the Ti-Nb alloy wire has almost the same frictional resistance as the Ti-Ni alloy wire, although it has a higher elastic modulus