13C NMR spectroscopic analysis of poly(electrolyte) cement liquids

MAS-NMR spectroscopy studies in the setting reaction of glass ionomer cements

OBJECTIVES

The main objective is the characterisation of the setting reaction in glass ionomer cements based on experimental ionomer glasses with different fluorine content and a commercial glass ionomer cement liquid by using 13C CP/MAS-NMR, 29Si, 27Al and 31P MAS-NMR spectroscopy in order to receive information specifically about the cross-linking process.

METHODS

Different fluorine containing glass compositions based on 4.5SiO2-3Al2O3-1.5P2O5-(5-z)CaO-zCaF(2) where z=0-3, were mixed with a commercially available polymer liquid to form glass ionomer cements. The cements were subjected to 27Al, 13C CP/MAS, 29Si, and 31P MAS-NMR analysis.

RESULTS

The 27Al spectra showed clearly the formation of six-fold coordinate Al(VI), that may crosslink the carboxyl groups in the poly-acid molecules. A shift towards to more positive values of the carboxyl peak in the 13C CP/MAS-NMR spectra showed clearly the proton dissociation of the carboxyl groups. A shift towards more negative values was observed in the 29Si MAS-NMR spectra, suggesting formation of hydrated silica gel and consequently formation of additional Si-O-Si bonds. 31P MAS-NMR spectra also reflected changes in the coordination state around a PO4(3-) tetrahedron. Increasing the fluorine content of the glasses resulted generally in increased reactivity during setting, due to promoting cross-linking and repolymerisation of the silicate phase, followed by clear changes in the MAS-NMR spectra.

CONCLUSIONS

The cross-linking process during the setting reaction of glass ionomer cements can be followed by MAS-NMR spectroscopy observing the conversion of Al(IV) to Al(VI). The acid base setting reaction is completed in 1 day and no further significant changes in the MAS-NMR spectra can be observed. Further study is required in order to understand the role of phosphorus.

Evidence of chemical bonding to hydroxyapatite by phosphoric acid esters

Phosphoric acid esters (PAEs) have been used as a self-etching primer for composite-to-enamel bonding in adhesive dentistry. However, the chemical mechanism of their interactions with hydroxyapatite (HA) is not clear. In the present study, HA particles were mixed with Resulcin AquaPrime (Merz Co.) priming agent that contains a mixture of PAEs, and dried. The primer, HA and the mixture of both were analyzed by FTIR. Primed and untreated HA discs were analyzed with attenuated total reflectance (ATR). After AquaPrime+D(2)O (1:1) was mixed with HA or Ca(OD)(2) for 48 h, the primer and both mixtures were analyzed with (31)P NMR in D(2)O. The solid and the liquid separated from both mixtures were analyzed with (31)P NMR in CDCl(3). The primer's characteristic bands (nu(CO), nu(CC)) were found on the primer-subtracted mixture's spectrum and the primed HA disc. (31)P NMR data indicated that the reactions of PAEs with HA produced PAEs-HA complexes, and were not a simple acid-base reaction like those with Ca(OD)(2), either in liquid or in solid. It is concluded that phosphoric acid esters can decalcify and adhere to hydroxyapatite simultaneously.

Evidence of chemisorption of maleic acid to enamel and hydroxyapatite

Maleic acid has been used as an etchant or non-rinse conditioner in adhesive dentistry. However, the inherent mechanisms of the interaction of maleic acid with hydroxyapatite/enamel have never been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to provide evidence for the chemisorption of maleic acid onto hydroxyapatite/enamel, and to identify the reaction products obtained following the interaction of maleic acid with hydroxyapatite. Hydroxyapatite particles were dissolved in a 15% (w/v) aqueous solution of maleic acid (pH = 0.98). Half of the solution was dried to obtain a desiccated mixture. This mixture, hydroxyapatite, maleic acid and self-prepared calcium maleate were analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Acetone was added to the other half of the solution to obtain a precipitate. This precipitate, hydroxyapatite, maleic acid, unetched enamel and maleic acid-etched enamel were analysed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The precipitate was also analysed by (1)H NMR. A new binding energy, indicating carboxylate groups, was detected by XPS on the precipitate and maleic acid-etched enamel surface. XRD data indicated the formation of calcium maleate and calcium hydrogen phosphate after the reaction. NMR data revealed that one carboxylic group of maleic acid reacted with hydroxyapatite. Hence, maleic acid can chemisorb to hydroxyapatite and enamel via ionic interactions.

Thermal diffusion in some polyelectrolyte dental cements: the effect of powder/liquid ratio

Thermal diffusivity values for glass ionomer and polycarboxylate cements have been determined for varying proportions of cement powder and liquid. Diffusivity is observed to be an increasing function of powder/liquid ratio. This is discussed in relation to the application of these cements as cavity bases.

The rheological properties of polyelectrolyte cements II. Glass ionomers

The rheological properties of two glass ionomer cements, ASPA and Fuji have been investigated. The viscosities of the liquid components of these systems have been found to be Newtonian up to a shear rate of 140 s-1 with values of 0.80 N m-2 s for ASPA and 1.8 N m-2 for Fuji. Capillary viscometry techniques have been employed to study the rheological changes accompanying setting. Both cements appear to behave as power law fluids, becoming progressively dilatant as setting proceeds. The apparent viscosities of the two systems are approximately equivalent displaying values of the order of 50 N m-2 s, at a shear rate of unity shortly after mixing.