Characterisation of fluorine containing glasses by 19F, 27Al, 29Si and 31P MAS-NMR spectroscopy

Fluorine in Complex Alumino-Boro-Silicate Glasses: Insight into Chemical Environment and Structure

Fluorine incorporation into silicate glasses is important for technical fields as diverse as geophysics, extractive metallurgy, reconstructive dentistry, optical devices, and radioactive waste management. In this study, we explored the structural role of fluorine in alkaline alumino-borosilicate glass, with increasing amounts of fluorine up to 25 mol % F while maintaining the glass composition. Glasses were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), 27Al and 19F magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) spectroscopy, and electron probe microanalysis. Results showed that essentially all F was retained; however, between 12 and 15 mol % F (∼3.6 and 4.5 wt % F), excess fluorine partitions to CaF2 and then NaF and Na-Al-F crystalline phases. Even prior to crystallization, there exist five distinct F sites, three of which evolve into crystalline phases. The two persistent glassy sites likely involve [4]Al-F-Ca/Na local structures. We propose a general understanding of the expected chemical shift of 19F NMR in systems containing Al, Ca, and Na.

Determination of chemical species of fluoride during uptake mechanism of glass-ionomer cements with NMR spectroscopy

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to determine the chemical species formed inside glass-ionomer cements after fluoride uptake and to investigate the depth of penetration of fluoride ions within the cement matrix.

METHODS

An experimental fluoride-free glass with composition 2SiO₂-AlO₃-CaO was produced. The glass powder was mixed with aqueous poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), and allowed to set. The resulting specimens were stored in 20ml KF solution with 1000ppm fluorine for 24h and then placed into the same amount of water as for 24h. A fluoride selective electrode was used to give the F concentration of the respective solutions. ¹⁹F MAS-NMR spectra were recorded on powdered cement specimens using a Bruker AVANCE-NEO 600 spectrometer. In addition, SEM observation and EDX chemical analysis were conducted on the cross-section of a carefully fractured specimen.

RESULTS

Fluoride was shown to be mainly present in the surface layers of the specimen after placement in the KF solution, and only a small fraction was re-released into water. ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy showed that AlF complexes were formed within the cement.

SIGNIFICANCE

The fluoride taken up by a free-fluoride glass ionomer cement mostly occupies surface layers and is retained because it bonds to aluminum within the matrix. This finding explains why the majority of fluoride taken up by conventional glass ionomer cements is retained.

Kinetics of ion release from a conventional glass-ionomer cement

Release kinetics for sodium, silicon, aluminium, calcium and phosphorus from conventional glass-ionomer dental cement has been studied in neutral and acid conditions. Specimens (6 mm height × 4 mm diameter) were made from AquaCem (Dentsply, Konstanz, Germany), 6 per experiment. They were matured (37 °C, 1 h), then placed in 5 cm3 storage solution at 20-22 °C. In the first experiment, deionised water, changed daily for 28 days, was used. In the second, deionised water, changed monthly for 21 months, was used. In the third, lactic acid (20 mmol dm-3, pH: 2.7 ± 0.1), changed monthly for 21 months was used. After storage each solution was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Results showed that in neutral conditions, no calcium was released, but in acid, significant amounts were released. The other elements (Na, Al, Si and P) were released in neutral as well as acid conditions, with greater amounts in acid. More frequent changes of water gave greater release. In neutral conditions, release over 21 months followed the equation: [E]c = [E]1t/(t + t½) + β√t ([E]c is the cumulative release of the element). In acid conditions, this became: [E]c = [E]1t/(t + t½) + αt. Hence release of all elements was shown to occur in two steps, a rapid initial one (half-life: 12-18 h) and a longer second one. In neutral conditions, the longer step involves diffusion; in acid it involves erosion. These patterns influence the material's bioactivity.

The use of bioactive glass (BAG) in dental composites: A critical review

OBJECTIVE

In recent years, numerous studies have analyzed the role of bioactive glass (BAG) as remineralizing additives in dental restorative composites. This current review provides a critical analysis of the existing literature, particularly focusing on BAGs prepared via the melt-quench route that form an "apatite-like" phase when immersed in physiological-like solutions.

METHODS

Online databases (Science Direct, PubMed and Google Scholar) were used to collect data published from 1962 to 2020. The research papers were analyzed and the relevant papers were selected for this review. Sol-gel BAGs were not included in this review since it is not a cost-effective manufacturing technique that can be upscaled and is difficult to incorporate fluoride.

RESULTS

BAGs release Ca²⁺, PO₄^3- and F^- ions, raise the pH and form apatite. There are numerous published papers on the bioactivity of BAGs, but the different glass compositions, volume fractions, particle sizes, immersion media, time points, and the characterization techniques used, make comparison difficult. Several papers only use certain characterization techniques that do not provide a full picture of the behavior of the glass. It was noted that in most studies, mechanical properties were measured on dry samples, which does not replicate the conditions in the oral environment. Therefore, it is recommended that samples should be immersed for longer time periods in physiological solutions to mimic clinical environments.

SIGNIFICANCE

BAGs present major benefits in dentistry, especially their capacity to form apatite, which could potentially fill any marginal gaps produced due to polymerization shrinkage.

The Application of 29Si NMR Spectroscopy to the Analysis of Calcium Silicate-Based Cement using Biodentine™ as an Example

Biodentine is one of the most successful and widely studied among the second generation of calcium silicate-based endodontic cements. Despite its popularity, the setting reactions of this cement system are not currently well understood. In particular, very little is known about the formation and structure of the major calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gel phase, as it is difficult to obtain information on this poorly crystalline material by the traditional techniques of powder X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In this study, the hydration reactions of Biodentine are monitored by XRD, FTIR, isothermal conduction calorimetry and, for the first time, 29Si magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (29Si MAS NMR) is used to investigate the structures of the anhydrous calcium silicate phases and the early C-S-H gel product. XRD analysis indicated that the anhydrous powder comprises 73.8 wt% triclinic tricalcium silicate, 4.45 wt% monoclinic β-dicalcium silicate, 16.6 wt% calcite and 5.15 wt% zirconium oxide. Calorimetry confirmed that the induction period for hydration is short, and that the setting reactions are rapid with a maximum heat evolution of 28.4 mW g-1 at 42 min. A progressive shift in the FTIR peak maximum from 905 to 995 cm-1 for the O-Si-O stretching vibrations accompanies the formation of the C-S-H gel during 1 week. The extent of hydration was determined by 29Si MAS NMR to be 87.0%, 88.8% and 93.7% at 6 h, 1 day and 1 week, respectively, which is significantly higher than that of MTA. The mean silicate chain length (MCL) of the C-S-H gel was also estimated by this technique to be 3.7 at 6 h and 1 day, and to have increased to 4.1 after 1 week. The rapid hydration kinetics of Biodentine, arising from the predominance of the tricalcium silicate phase, small particle size, and 'filler effect' of calcite and zirconium oxide, is a favorable characteristic of an endodontic cement, and the high values of MCL are thought to promote the durability of the cement matrix.

Addition of bioactive glass to glass ionomer cements: Effect on the physico-chemical properties and biocompatibility

OBJECTIVES

Glass ionomer cements (GICs) are a subject of research because of their inferior mechanical properties, despite their advantages such as fluoride release and direct bonding to bone and teeth. Recent research aims to improve the bioactivity of the GICs and thereby improve mechanical properties on the long term. In this study, two types of bioactive glasses (BAG) (45S5F and CF9) are combined with GICs to evaluate the physico-chemical properties and biocompatibility of the BAG-GIC combinations. The effect of the addition of Al³⁺ to the BAG composition and the use of smaller BAG particles on the BAG-GIC properties was also investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Conventional aluminosilicate glass (ASG) and (modified) BAG were synthesized by the melt method. BAG-GIC were investigated on setting time, compressive strength and bioactivity. Surface changes were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), EDS and PO₄^3- -and Ca²⁺ uptake in SBF. Biocompatibility of selected BAG-GICs was determined by a direct toxicity assay.

RESULTS

The addition of BAG improves the bioactivity of the GIC, which can be observed by the formation of an apatite (Ap) layer, especially in CF9-containing GICs. More BAG leads to more bioactivity but decreases strength. The addition of Al³⁺ to the BAG composition improves strength, but decreases bioactivity. BAGs with smaller particle sizes have no effect on bioactivity and decrease strength. The formation of an Ap layer seems beneficial to the biocompatibility of the BAG-GICs.

SIGNIFICANCE

Bioactive GICs may have several advantages over conventional GICs, such as remineralization of demineralized tissue, adhesion and proliferation of bone- and dental cells, allowing integration in surrounding tissue. CF9 BAG-GIC combinations containing maximum 10mol% Al³⁺ are most promising, when added in ≤20wt% to a GIC.

A Review of Glass-Ionomer Cements for Clinical Dentistry

This article is an updated review of the published literature on glass-ionomer cements and covers their structure, properties and clinical uses within dentistry, with an emphasis on findings from the last five years or so. Glass-ionomers are shown to set by an acid-base reaction within 2–3 min and to form hard, reasonably strong materials with acceptable appearance. They release fluoride and are bioactive, so that they gradually develop a strong, durable interfacial ion-exchange layer at the interface with the tooth, which is responsible for their adhesion. Modified forms of glass-ionomers, namely resin-modified glass-ionomers and glass carbomer, are also described and their properties and applications covered. Physical properties of the resin-modified glass-ionomers are shown to be good, and comparable with those of conventional glass-ionomers, but biocompatibility is somewhat compromised by the presence of the resin component, 2 hydroxyethyl methacrylate. Properties of glass carbomer appear to be slightly inferior to those of the best modern conventional glass-ionomers, and there is not yet sufficient information to determine how their bioactivity compares, although they have been formulated to enhance this particular feature.

Simulations reveal the role of composition into the atomic-level flexibility of bioactive glass cements

Bioactive glass ionomer cements (GICs), the reaction product of a fluoro-alumino-silicate glass and polyacrylic acid, have been in effective use in dentistry for over 40 years and more recently in orthopaedics and medical implantation. Their desirable properties have affirmed GIC's place in the medical materials community, yet are limited to non-load bearing applications due to the brittle nature of the hardened composite cement, thought to arise from the glass component and the interfaces it forms. Towards helping resolve the fundamental bases of the mechanical shortcomings of GICs, we report the 1st ever computational models of a GIC-relevant component. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations were employed to generate and characterise three fluoro-alumino-silicate glasses of differing compositions with focus on resolving the atomic scale structural and dynamic contributions of aluminium, phosphorous and fluorine. Analyses of the glasses revealed rising F-content leading to the expansion of the glass network, compression of Al-F bonding, angular constraint at Al-pivots, localisation of alumino-phosphates and increased fluorine diffusion. Together, these changes to the structure, speciation and dynamics with raised fluorine content impart an overall rigidifying effect on the glass network, and suggest a predisposition to atomic-level inflexibility, which could manifest in the ionomer cements they form.

A long-term study on the setting reaction of glass ionomer cements by (27)Al MAS-NMR spectroscopy

OBJECTIVES

The main objective is the characterization of the setting reaction in glass ionomer cements (GICs) based on experimental glasses using the (27)Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) spectroscopy in order to understand the crosslinking process during the setting reaction.

METHODS

Three types of GICs which are based on fluoro-alumino-silicate glasses (LG125, ART10, and LG26Sr) were studied using (27)Al MAS-NMR to monitor the setting reaction of the cements.

RESULTS

The result showed clearly the formation of six coordinate, aluminium Al(VI), that crosslink the carboxyl groups in the PAA. The deconvolution study was performed to quantify the amount of each Al species in the cements. The finding showed that composition of original glass has a substantial effect on the setting behavior of the cements.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our data demonstrate that the setting reaction of GICs can be followed by (27)Al MAS-NMR spectroscopy discovering the conversion of Al(IV) to Al(VI). Considerable amount of the five coordinate aluminium, Al(V), species was found in the cements aged up to one year. The presence of phosphorus has a strong influence on the setting reaction. The formation of Al-O-P species was postulated to be present in the cement.