Incorporation Of SiO2 Research Articles

FeSiBCuNbZr amorphous composites decorated with SiO2 and TiO2(B) (bronze phase TiO2) for efficient electromagnetic wave absorption

The application of Fe-based amorphous microspheres in high-performance electromagnetic wave absorbing materials is significantly limited by a single loss mechanism. Utilizing interfacial engineering and magnetic-dielectric synergistic effect is a viable approach to enhance microwave absorption. In this work, FeSiBCuNbZr amorphous microspheres were synthesized using single copper roller melt-spinning method and ball mill method. The finding reveals that the incorporation of SiO2 and TiO2(B) (bronze phase TiO2) shells notably enhances polarization loss and conductive loss. FeSiBCuNbZr@SiO2@TiO2(B) amorphous composites exhibited a minimum reflection loss value of −64.89 dB at a thickness of 2.17 mm and an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 8.08 GHz covering 9–18 GHz at a thickness of 1.9 mm. The exceptional wave absorption performance is ascribed to the combined effect of magnetic loss in the FeSiBCuNbZr amorphous core and dielectric loss from the double-shell structure, while maintaining favorable impedance matching. This work provides a new core–shell FeSiBCuNbZr amorphous composites for efficient electromagnetic wave absorption.

Effect of SiO2 concentration on the mechanical and anticorrosive properties of the hybrid PMMA/SiO2 coating synthesized in situ by sol-gel process.

Abstract Anti-corrosive evaluation of a hybrid polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) with silica particles (SiO2) is presented, the hybrid (PMMA-SiO2) was synthetized in situ by sol-gel process. The SiO2 particles were embedded into to matrix PMMA at different concentrations. The hybrid structure of the coatings was characterized and observed with Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The deposition of the hybrid in aluminum 7075-T6 (Al7075) substrates was made with the blade coating technique, measuring wet and dry film thickness. For the preparation of the hybrid, PMMA was used without any type of curing, which allowed us to save resources. All tests were performed according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM international) standards. The incorporation of SiO2 to concentrations significantly improved the mechanical and anti-corrosive results. PMMA-SiO2 coating, once deposited on the surface of Al7075 plates, has been tested inside a salt fog chamber (CNS) operated under accelerated conditions. They were improved up to 920 h its corrosion resistance. The abrasion tests had an increase of 50%, its hardness up to 4H and the wear index improved by 50% compared with the hybrids with minor SiO2 concentration, which shows that a higher concentration of SiO2 particles has a higher performance of the coating.

Chemical incorporation of SiO2 into TiO2 layer by green plasma enhancer and quencher agents for synchronized improvements in the protective and bioactive properties

This study explores the dynamic interaction between environmentally sustainable plasma enhancer and quencher agents during the incorporation of SiO2 into a TiO2 layer, with the primary objective of simultaneously augmenting protective and bioactive attributes. This enhancement is realized through the synergistic utilization of Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TE) and Stevia (ST) within a plasma-assisted oxidation process. To achieve this goal, Ti–6Al–4V alloy underwent oxidation in an electrolyte solution containing acetate-glycerophosphate, with the addition of TE and ST separately and in combination. TE, as a silicon oxide (SiO2) precursor, facilitates the creation of a calcium-rich, rough, porous layer by undergoing hydrolysis to generate silanol groups (Si–OH), which subsequently condense into silicon-oxygen-silicon (Si–O–Si) bonds, resulting in SiO2 formation. In contrast, ST acts as a plasma quencher, absorbing highly reactive plasma species during the oxidation process, reducing energy levels, and diminishing sparking intensity. The combination of TE and ST results in moderate sparking, balancing Stevia's quenching effect and TE's sparking influence. As a result, this coating exhibits enhanced corrosion resistance and bioactivity compared to using either ST or TE alone. The study highlights the potential of this synergistic approach for advanced TiO2-based coatings.

EFFECT OF SiO2 AND ZnO NANOPARTICLES TO INCREASE REFRIGERATION MACHINE PERFORMANCE

In this investigation, the impact of silicon dioxide (SiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles on the performance of a refrigeration machine system was systematically examined. The focus was on evaluating the coefficient of performance (COP) concerning the utilization of a polyolester (POE) lubricant, R600a refrigerant, and distinct nanoparticles (SiO2 and ZnO) within the refrigeration system. The nanoparticles were individually introduced into the R600a refrigerant in masses of 0.5 g, 1.0 g, and 1.5 g. The experimental outcomes demonstrated a noteworthy enhancement in COP with the addition of nanoparticles. Specifically, the introduction of 1.5 g of SiO2 resulted in a substantial increase of 25.88% in COP, marking it as the most influential dosage. Similarly, the addition of 1.0 g of ZnO led to a significant COP increase of 13.6%, representing the optimal quantity for ZnO. Furthermore, the inclusion of 1.5 g of SiO2 brought about a remarkable reduction in energy consumption, with a decrease of 25.58%, while 1.5 g of ZnO resulted in a notable 16.28% decrease in energy consumption. The experimental configuration involved the use of 20 g of refrigerant and 500 ml of POE lubricant. Comparative analysis demonstrated that the refrigeration system incorporating nanoparticles outperformed the conventional R600a refrigeration system devoid of nanoparticles. This study contributes valuable insights into the potential enhancements in refrigeration system efficiency through the strategic incorporation of SiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles, offering a promising avenue for optimizing the performance of refrigeration technology.

Internal curing with superabsorbent polymer modified by nano SiO2: Shrinkage mitigation and microstructure refinement

The existing commercial superabsorbent polymer (SAP) products have the intrinsic defects of low internal curing efficiency and weakening strength. In this paper, a novel type of organic-inorganic composite SAP (SAPN) modified by nano SiO2 was designed and synthesized. The absorption-desorption kinetics of SAP-N in alkali pore solution were measured to evaluate the structural stability and water retention capacity. The water transport process and distribution of SAP-N in cement pastes were studied using 1H NMR and X-ray computed tomography. In addition, the effect of SAP-N on the autogenous shrinkage, microstructure, and compressive strength of cement pastes was investigated. The research results demonstrated that the incorporation of nano SiO2 could enhance the absorption capacity of SAP in pore solution. The water retention capacity of SAP-N was increased by over 50 % compared to commercial SAPC, despite the dissolution of a proportion of nano SiO2. SAP-N exhibited a low agglomeration degree but a high effective utilization rate of internal curing water in cement pastes, and thus mitigated effectively the self-desiccation and autogenous shrinkage. The hydration degree of cement pastes internally cured with SAP-N was significantly enhanced owing to the pozzolanic effect of nano SiO2, which enabled the in-situ repair of residual voids and reduced capillary pore size, thus improving the long-term compressive strength.

Assessment of strength development of soil stabilized with cement and nano SiO2

In consideration of the significant negative impact of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) on the environment, the use of nanomaterials as an additive to mitigate the amount of cement and enhance the physical and mechanical properties of cemented soil has been introduced. However, the existing empirical formulae to evaluate the strength of cemented soil with nano SiO2 additive are limited. This study aims to investigate the strength behavior of cemented soil with OPC and nano SiO2 additive through a series of unconfined compressive tests. The cemented soils with varying cement content (3 %, 5 %, 10 %, and 15 %) and water content (1LL, 1.2LL, and 1.5LL) were mixed with 0 %, 2 %, 4 %, 6 %, and 8 % nano SiO2. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the cemented soils with nano SiO2 was measured at 7, 14, 28, and 56 days. Empirical models were developed to estimate the UCS of cemented soil with nano SiO2 additive. The results indicate that the incorporation of nano SiO2 can effectively improve the strength of cemented soil. The UCS decreases rapidly with an increase in the ratio of water to content (wc/c) values when the wc/c value is less than 7, while the trend of decreasing UCS stabilizes when it exceeds 7. The developed empirical models based on Gallavresi’s formula can predict the UCS of cemented soil with nano SiO2 at different curing ages from the early strength on Day 7. The average MAPE value at different curing ages is 7.37 % by comparing the experimental value with the calculated value from the empirical model, demonstrating that the developed model has good predictive ability.

Design of CuO @ SiO2 core shell nanocomposites and its applications to photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B dye

In this work, photocatalytic behavior of CuO@SiO2 core shell nanocomposites (CuO@SiO2 CSNs) is reported. The formation and structure of the prepared samples were confirmed using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) techniques. UV analysis revealed that the incorporation of SiO2 onto CuO resulted in a notable decrease in the bandgap energy from 3.2 eV to 2.8 eV, along with a reduction in the rate of electron-hole recombination and in consequence of that CuO@SiO2 CSNs demonstrated an impressive degradation rate of 92% for Rhodamine B (Rh B), while CuO Nanoparticles (NPs) exhibited a relatively lower rate of 80%. The BET surface area analysis revealed that CuO@SiO2 CSNs had a greater surface area of 68.418 m³/g as opposed to 9.364 m³/g for CuO NPs, which contributed to the former's remarkable catalytic performance.

Taguchi design and optimization of the PLA/PCL composite filament with plasticizer and compatibilizer additives for optimal 3D printing

Abstract3D printing (3DP) has brought endless possibilities to the manufacturing industry. Biodegradable high‐polymer materials such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) have attracted widespread attention. However, to optimize printing performance, this study prepared six PLA/PCL composite materials with ratios of 4:6, 5:5, and 6:4, by adding Polyethylene Glycol 4000 (PEG 4000) as a plasticizer and nano silica as a reinforcing agent. Parameters that can affect printing quality, including formulation, printing temperature (150, 170, and 190°C), filling density (305, 40%, and 50%), and printing speed (20, 30, and 40 mm/s), were examined and optimized. The optimal factor level combination determined by Taguchi fractional factorial design were silica addition 0.6 g, PLA content 60 wt%, printing temperature 190°C, infill density 50%, and printing speed 20 mm/s. The obtained minimum error value was 0.338 mm. Analysis of variance revealed the statistical significance of PLA content and printing temperature. A general linear model was established for result prediction, showing a difference of 9.25% from the actual error values. SEM results indicated poor compatibility between PLA and PCL in the melt‐blended mixture, while the addition of SiO2 nanoparticles facilitated PCL and PLA crystallization. DSC analysis demonstrated that the incorporation of PLC and SiO2 led to an increase in crystallinity, with 5PLA/5PCL/SiO2 exhibiting the highest crystallinity at 51.4%. Tensile testing results showed that the addition of 50 wt% PCL to PLA significantly improved the fracture elongation of the PLA/PCL material with a 5:5 formulation, averaging about 4 times higher than that of pure PLA, while the tensile strength decreased by 1.5 times. This study not only expands the research on PLA/PCL blends but also provides process guidance for 3D printing of the materials.

Synergistic Effect of Nanoparticles: Enhanced Mechanical and Corrosion Protection Properties of Epoxy Coatings Incorporated with SiO2 and ZrO2.

This research paper presents the fabrication of epoxy coatings along with the hybrid combination of SiO2 and ZrO2. The epoxy resin is incorporated with SiO2 as the primary pigment and ZrO2 as the synergist pigment. The study delves into the adhesion, barrier, and anti-corrosion properties of these coatings, enriched with silica and zirconium nanoparticles, and investigates their impact on the final properties of the epoxy coating. The epoxy resin, a Diglycidyl ether bisphenol-A (DGEBA) type, is cured with a polyamidoamine adduct-based curing agent. To evaluate the protective performance of silica SiO2 and zirconia ZrO2 nanoparticles in epoxy coatings, the coated samples were tested in a 3.5% NaCl solution. The experimental results clearly demonstrate a remarkable improvement in the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), and Elastic Modulus. In comparison to using SiO2 separately, the incorporation of both ZrO2 and SiO2 resulted in a substantial increase of 43.5% in UTS, 74.2% in YS, and 8.2% in Elastic Modulus. The corrosion test results revealed that the combination of DGEBA, SiO2, and ZrO2 significantly enhanced the anti-corrosion efficiency of the organic coatings. Both these pigments exhibited superior anti-corrosion effects and mechanical properties compared to conventional epoxy coatings, leading to a substantial increase in the anti-corrosion efficiency of the developed coating. This research focuses the potential of SiO2 and ZrO2 in hybrid combination for applications, where mechanical, corrosion and higher adhesion to the substrates are of prime importance.

Preparation of PAN/SiO2/CTAB electrospun nanofibrous membranes for highly efficient air filtration and sterilization

Air particulate pollution from increasing industrialization poses an enormous threat to public health. It is therefore of particular importance to develop air filters with excellent filtration properties and antimicrobial properties. Here we design a novel air filter for outdoor personal protection. The air filter’s composite nanofibrous materials are prepared by electrospinning method using polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as the base polymer, silica dioxide (SiO2) as the electret r and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as the antimicrobial agent. Fourier-infrared spectroscopy, surface potential, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization reveal the successful incorporation of SiO2 and CTAB into PAN. The air filtration test shows that the composite nanofibrous membrane has outstanding PM0.3 filtration efficiency (98.5%) and lower pressure drop (76 Pa) at 32 L/min flow rate. Moreover, the durability tests show that the composite nanofibrous membranes have a long lifetime in terms of filtration performance. The filtration efficiency is reduced by only 2% after 48 h. In addition, the antimicrobial properties were tested by implementing both E. coli and S. aureus with up to a 99% bacteriostasis rate. Thus, this work improves the application potential of high-performance air filters for the removal of particulate pollution and may provide useful insights into the design of next-generation air filters suitable for applications in high antibacterial applications.

Fabrication of novel magnetic Mg0.8Cu0.2Fe2O4/SiO2/CeO2 nanocomposite synthesized by a simple ultrasonic-assisted route for organic dye removal using Fenton-like reaction.

Fenton-like degradation of contaminants is considered to be a feasible method for eliminating environmental pollution. In this study, a novel ternary Mg0.8Cu0.2Fe2O4/SiO2/CeO2 nanocomposite was fabricated using a novel ultrasonic-assisted technique, and investigated as a Fenton-like catalyst for the removal of tartrazine (TRZ) dye. The nanocomposite was synthesized by first coating the SiO2 shell around the Mg0.8Cu0.2Fe2O4 core via a Stöber-like process to form Mg0.8Cu0.2Fe2O4/SiO2. Then, a simple ultrasonic-assisted route was used to synthesize Mg0.8Cu0.2Fe2O4/SiO2/CeO2 nanocomposite. This approach provides a simple and environmentally friendly way to produce this material without the use of any additional reductants or organic surfactants. The fabricated sample demonstrated excellent Fenton-like activity. The efficiency of Mg0.8Cu0.2Fe2O4 was significantly enhanced by the incorporation of SiO2 and CeO2, and complete removal of TRZ (30mg/L) was achieved within 120min using 0.2g/L of Mg0.8Cu0.2Fe2O4/SiO2/CeO2. The scavenger test shows that the main active species is the strong oxidizing of hydroxyl radicals (HO•). Consequently, the Fenton-like mechanism of Mg0.8Cu0.2Fe2O4/SiO2/CeO2 is explained based on the coexistence of Fe3+/Fe2+, Cu2+/Cu+, and Ce4+/Ce3+ redox couples. The removal efficiency of TRZ dye remained around 85% after the third recycling run, revealing that the nanocomposite could be employed to eliminate organic contaminants in water treatment. This research opened up a new avenue for expanding the practical application of new-generation Fenton-like catalysts.

Preparation of Sulfonated Poly(arylene ether)/SiO2 Composite Membranes with Enhanced Proton Selectivity for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries

Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) are an important type of vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) separator that play the key role of separating positive and negative electrolytes while transporting protons. In order to lower the vanadium ion permeability and improve the proton selectivity of PEMs for enhancing the Coulombic efficiency of VRFBs, herein, various amounts of nano-sized SiO2 particles were introduced into a previously optimized sulfonated poly(arylene ether) (SPAE) PEMs through the acid-catalyzed sol-gel reaction of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). The successful incorporation of SiO2 was confirmed by FT-IR spectra. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that the SiO2 particles were well distributed in the SPAE membrane. The ion exchange capacity, water uptake, and swelling ratio of the PEMs were decreased with the increasing amount of SiO2, while the mechanical properties and thermal stability were improved significantly. The proton conductivity was reduced gradually from 93.4 to 76.9 mS cm-1 at room temperature as the loading amount of SiO2 was increased from 0 to 16 wt.%; however, the VO2+ permeability was decreased dramatically after the incorporation of SiO2 and reached a minimum value of 2.57 × 10-12 m2 s-1 at 12 wt.% of SiO2. As a result, the H+/VO2+ selectivity achieved a maximum value of 51.82 S min cm-3 for the composite PEM containing 12 wt.% of SiO2. This study demonstrates that the properties of PEMs can be largely tuned by the introduction of SiO2 with low cost for VRFB applications.

Fabrication and characterisation of proton exchange membrane from sulfonated natural rubber for possible use as an alternative separator in AGM battery

Proton Exchange Membrane was fabricated from sulfonated natural rubber (NR) as an alternative to absorptive glass mat (AGM) separator for AGM battery. The separator was fabricated using chlorosulphuric acid as the sulfonating agent at 0 °C under continuous stirring. Water uptake at 25 °C ranges from 0 to 58% while at 60 °C the range is from 4 to 38%, which suggest a strong attraction between the water molecules and sulfonate moiety. The acid uptake ranges from 18 to 83% for all three membranes (A, B and C) fabricated, which proves excellent electrolyte uptake, resistance to oxidation and acid attack. The FTIR analyses, water uptake, acid uptake and Carbon-Sulphur analysis confirm that the sulfonation occurred in NR through substitution reaction on the alpha carbons. The incorporation of ZnO and SiO2, caused increase in cell size, which indicate the porous and spongy structure throughout the surface area of each membrane, which indicate promising materials for application in AGM battery.

Enhanced photosensitivity of heterostructure SiO2/Bi2WO6/GO composite nanoparticles

The Bi2WO6, Bi2WO6@GO, SiO2/Bi2WO6, and SiO2/Bi2WO6@GO nanocomposites were synthesized using a simple process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), EDX mapping investigations confirmed the successful synthesis, related chemical bonding, and elements in the structure. According to the TEM and FESEM images, composite nanoparticles consisting of cubic-like Bi2WO6 and regular spherical-like particles of SiO2 between the GO sheets. The strong emission color of green under ultraviolet excitation was obtained. The radiation sensitivity of the SiO2/Bi2WO6@GO nanocomposite under the 241Am alpha source was the best compared with other samples. It was observed that the incorporation of SiO2 and reduced graphene oxide in composite structures can lead to further sensitivity of ionizing radiation and luminescence intensity at room temperature. Furthermore, prepared SiO2/Bi2WO6 NPs showed a high decolorization efficiency of MB dye (98.2%) under UVA irradiation for 100 min. These results present a promising potential for applications in photonic devices.

Development and characterization of lotus-leaf-inspired bionic antibacterial adhesion film through beeswax

Inspired by the water resistance and antibacterial adhesion of lotus leaves, an eco-friendly bionic film was prepared using polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan biomass composite film as the substrate and beeswax as the waxy layer. The effects of different spray components on the physicochemical and bacterial adhesion properties of the film were studied. The analysis results showed that the presence of beeswax and SiO2 improved the UV barrier, WVP, and thermal properties. The FTIR spectroscopy and SEM results showed that the incorporation of beeswax and SiO2 formed a fine bionic structure on and intermolecular hydrogen bonds with the surface of the film. Additionally, the biomimetic membrane exhibits appreciable superhydrophobicity (contact angle > 150°) and antibacterial adhesion. Therefore, the prepared film shows significant physicochemical properties and antibacterial adhesion and is a suitable antibacterial adhesive packaging material that extends the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.

Biopolymer-Based Films from Sodium Alginate and Citrus Pectin Reinforced with SiO2.

Blend films based on sodium alginate (SA) and citrus pectin (P) reinforced with different concentrations of SiO2 (0–10% w/w) were developed in this study. From the morphological (SEM) and structural (FT-IR) evaluation, it was verified that the incorporation of the reinforcing agent did not drastically modify the microstructure of the films, nor did new chemical bonds form. However, the XRD results suggested a slight reduction in the crystallinities of the blends by the incorporation of SiO2. Among the formulations prepared, the addition of a 5% reinforcing agent was responsible for the simultaneous improvement of mechanical and barrier properties. Comparing the control sample (SA/P) with the SA/P/5.0%SiO2 film, the tensile strength increased from 27.7 ± 3.7 to 40.6 ± 4.5 MPa, and the water-vapor transmission rate decreased from 319.8 ± 38.7 to 288.9 ± 23.5 g m−2 day−1. Therefore, SiO2, as a reinforcing agent in SA/P blends, represents a simple and effective strategy for improving the properties of biopolymer-based films in applications, such as packaging.

Improving the Chemical Stability of Al Alloy through the Densification of the Alumina Layer Assisted by SiF62- Anion Hydrolysis.

In this work, a high-density alumina layer with high chemical stability was successfully developed by controlling the hydrolysis of hexafluorosilicate (SiF62−) anions through the addition of various concentrations of sodium citrate (SCi) into the electrolyte of plasma electrolysis (PE). To achieve this aim, the substrate samples were anodized in alkaline aluminate–SiF62−-based electrolytes with 0, 5, and 10 g/L of SCi. The presence of SCi anions in the electrolyte led to the formation of a thick adsorbed electrochemical double layer (EDL) on the substrate surface. The EDL not only affected the movement of SiF62− anions towards the anode but also influenced their hydrolysis reaction, which in turn led to a controllable sealing of structural defects with the hydrolysis products, namely SiO2 and AlF3. Among three different oxide layers, the oxide layer obtained from the electrolyte with 5 g/L SCi showed the highest chemical stability in a corrosive solution, which was linked to the fact that a considerable increase in the compactness of the oxide layers was obtained by the incorporation of SiO2 and AlF3. The mechanism underlying the effects of SCi on triggering the hydrolysis of SiF62− anions and factors affecting chemical stability are discussed based on the experimental data and computational analysis.

Superhydrophobic micro-nanofibers from PHBV-SiO2 biopolymer composites produced by electrospinning

Electrospinning is a relatively simple technique for producing continuous fibers of various sizes and morphologies. In this study, an intrinsically hydrophilic poly(3-hydroxybutarate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) biopolymer strain was electrospun from a solution under optimal processing conditions to produce bilayers of beadless micro-fibers and beaded nano-fibers. The fibrous mats produced from the pure PHBV solution exhibited hydrophilicity with complete wetting. Incorporation of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) treated silica into the electrospinning solutions resulted in a non-wetting state with increased fiber roughness and enhanced porosity; however, the fiber mats displayed high water droplet-adhesion. The SiO2–incorporated fibrous mats were then treated with stearic acid at an activation temperature of 80 °C. This treatment caused fiber surface plasticization, creating a tertiary hierarchical roughness owing to the interaction of PHBV chains with the polar carboxyl groups of the stearic acid. Scanning electron microscopy was used to assess the influence of the electrospinning process parameters and the incorporation of nanoparticles on surface morphology of the fibers; energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the presence of SiO2 nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was performed to study the incorporation of SiO2 and the interaction of stearic acid with PHBV at various concentrations. The chemical interaction between stearic acid and PHBV was confirmed, while SiO2 nanoparticles were successfully incorporated into the PHBV fibers at concentrations up to 4.5% by weight. The incorporation of nanoparticles and plasticization altered the thermal properties of PHBV and a decrease in crystalline fraction was observed. The stearic acid modified bilayers produced from the micro-nano-fibrous composites showed very low water droplet sticking, a roll off angle of approximately 4° and a high static contact angle of approximately 155° were achieved.Graphical

Evaluation of the Effect of Titanium Dioxide and Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticles on Impact Strength of Two Commercially Available Heat Cure Acrylic Resins

Introduction: Poor mechanical properties are among the main limitations of denture base resin. There has been a continuous attempt to improve the mechanical properties of denture base resins. Nanotechnology has evolved health care industry to a large scale and its applications are a boon to modern medicine and dental science. Nanoparticles are nowadays, extensively used in prosthodontics as they are incorporated in Polymethyl Methacrylate denture bases to alter the properties such as impact strength. Aim: To evaluate and compare the effect of titanium dioxide and silicon dioxide nanoparticles on impact strength of two commercially available heat cure acrylic resins. Materials and Methods: The in-vitro study was conducted in Department of Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge, School of Dental Sciences, Sharda University Faridabad, Haryana, India between April 2019 to May 2021, that involved 120 samples. Materials compared were Dental Products of India (DPI) heat cure acrylic and Trevalon heat cure acrylic. Each group was further categorized into four groups to measure the impact strength i.e, without incorporation of nanoparticles and with incorporation of nanoparticles SiO2 and TiO2 and a combination of both. Samples obtained were tested for impact strength using Izod method. Statistical analysis was done using a one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Student’s t-test and Post-hoc Bonferroni test. Results: In the two types of materials studied, the mean impact strength of Trevalon was statistically significantly higher (p-value= 0.045) than DPI. After the addition of nanoparticles, i.e; SiO2 and TiO2 the mean impact strength was higher in Trevalon (8.66 kJ/m2 without the addition of nanoparticles, 5.79 kJ/m2 addition of 1% TiO2 nanoparticles, 5.77 kJ/m2 addition of 1% SiO2 nanoparticles and 5.75 kJ/m2 when a 1% combination of both the above was added) than DPI (7.19 kJ/m2 without the addition of nanoparticles, 5.86 kJ/m2 - addition of 1% TiO2 nanoparticles, 5.77 kJ/m2 addition of 1% SiO2 nanoparticles and 5.66 kJ/m2 when a 1% combination of both the above was incorporated). Conclusion: Mean Impact strength of Trevalon was higher than mean impact strength of DPI. Incorporation of TiO2 , SiO2 Nanoparticles or in combination decreases impact strength of both the commercially available heat cure denture base resin with statistically no significant difference.

Improving the mechanical properties and thermal stability of sodium alginate/hydrolyzed collagen films through the incorporation of SiO2

Biopolymer-based films have become leading alternatives to traditional fossil-based packaging plastics. Among the countless types of biopolymers with potential for such applications, films containing hydrolyzed collagen in their composition were scarcely explored. This study determined the effect of different loads of nano-SiO2 (0, 2, 6, 8 and 10% w/w of sodium alginate) in the sodium alginate (SA) and hydrolyzed collagen (HC) blend films in terms of structure, thickness, mechanical properties, and thermal stability. The results indicated an improvement in the general mechanical and thermal behavior. Tensile strength increased from 18.2 MPa (control sample) to 25.4 MPa for the SA/HC film incorporated with 10% nano-SiO2. In the same condition, the film's elongation at break improved impressively (from 19.5 to 35.8%). Thermal stability improved slightly for all proportions of nano-SiO2. Therefore, the addition of nano-SiO2 can be an easy and simple strategy to improve crucial properties of SA/HC blend films, increasing its performance for future application as sustainable packaging.