Reinforcement of resin-modified glass-ionomer cement with glass fiber and graphene oxide

Effect of Graphene Oxide Nanoparticles Incorporation on the Mechanical Properties of a Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cement

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of incorporating different concentrations of graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC). A commercial RMGIC (Resiglass R, Biodinâmica) was modified by incorporating 0.1% and 0.5% (by weight) of GO into the powder's material. An unmodified RMGIC was used as a control group. Powder samples were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). Specimens were fabricated and subjected to flexural strength (n = 15), modulus of elasticity (n = 15), Vicker's microhardness (n = 10), and surface roughness tests (n = 10). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test (α = 5%). Experimental groups' powder demonstrated a homogeneous dispersion of GO. No statistically significant difference was observed in flexural strength (p = 0.067) and modulus of elasticity (p = 0.143) tests. The groups containing 0.1% and 0.5% GO showed significantly higher microhardness and lower surface roughness values (p < 0.001) compared to the control group. The incorporation of GO nanoparticles at concentrations of 0.1% and 0.5% improved the microhardness and surface roughness without negatively affecting the flexural strength and modulus of elasticity of an RMGIC.

Effect of E-glass fibers addition on compressive strength, flexural strength, hardness, and solubility of glass ionomer based cement

BACKGROUND

In dentistry, glass-ionomer cements (GICs) are extensively used for a range of applications. The unique properties of GIC include fluoride ion release and recharge, chemical bonding to the tooth's hard tissues, biocompatibility, a thermal expansion coefficient like that of enamel and dentin, and acceptable aesthetics. Their high solubility and poor mechanical qualities are among their limitations. E-glass fibers are generally utilized to reinforce the polymer matrix and are identified by their higher silica content.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of adding (10 wt% and 20 wt%) silane-treated E-glass fibers to traditional GIC on its mechanical properties (compressive strength, flexural strength, and surface hardness) and solubility.

METHODS

The characterization of the E-glass fiber fillers was achieved by XRF, SEM, and PSD. The specimens were prepared by adding the E-glass fiber fillers to the traditional GIC at 10% and 20% by weight, forming two innovative groups, and compared with the unmodified GIC (control group). The physical properties (film thickness and initial setting time) were examined to confirm operability after mixing. The evaluation of the reinforced GIC was performed by assessing the compressive strength, flexural strength, hardness, and solubility (n = 10 specimens per test). A one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests were performed for statistical analysis (p ≤ 0.05).

RESULTS

The traditional GIC showed the least compressive strength, flexural strength, hardness, and highest solubility. While the GIC reinforced with 20 wt% E-glass fibers showed the highest compressive strength, flexural strength, hardness, and least solubility. Meanwhile, GIC reinforced with 10 wt% showed intermediate results (P ≤ 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Using 20 wt% E-glass fiber as a filler with the traditional GIC provides a strengthening effect and reduced solubility.

Assessing the Impact of Nano-Graphene Oxide Addition on Surface Microhardness and Roughness of Glass Ionomer Cements: A Laboratory Study

Background

Nanomaterials, including nano-graphene oxide (nGO), have emerged as promising modifiers for dental materials. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of incorporating nGO into conventional glass ionomer cement (CGIC) and resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) on surface roughness and hardness.

Methods

Sixty disk-shaped specimens (2 × 6 mm) were divided into six groups: CGIC, RMGIC, CGIC with 1 wt.% nGO, CGIC with 2 wt.% nGO, RMGIC with 1 wt.% nGO, and RMGIC with 2 wt.% nGO. Surface roughness (Ra) and Vickers microhardness (VHN) were measured using a surface profilometer and Vickers microhardness tester, respectively. Statistical analysis employed the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (p <0.05).

Results

The microhardness of RMGICs significantly increased with 1% and 2% nGO (p=0.017, P=0.001, respectively), while CGICs showed a significant decrease in VHN with nGO incorporation (p=0.001). VHN values of all CGIC groups were significantly higher than those of all RMGIC groups (p=0.001). Mean surface roughness values for all CGICs were significantly higher than those of RMGIC groups (p=0.001). Within the RMGIC groups, mean Ra values of RMGIC + 1 wt.% nGO and RMGIC + 2 wt.% nGO groups decreased significantly compared to the RMGIC control group (p=0.001, p=0.001, respectively). Among CGIC groups, mean Ra values of 1 wt.% and 2 wt.% nGO/CGIC groups were significantly higher than the CGIC control group (p=0.016, p=0.001).

Conclusion

Incorporating nGO into RMGICs increased surface microhardness while reducing surface roughness, offering potential advantages for clinical applications. Conversely, adding nGO to CGICs increased surface roughness and decreased surface hardness. These findings emphasize the potential benefits of utilizing nGO in RMGICs and their implications in clinical practice.

Three-point bending damage detection of GFRP composites doped with graphene oxide by acoustic emission technology

The incorporation of graphene oxide (GO) into composite materials can modulate their overall performance. To enhance the performance of acoustic emission (AE) signals, 3% GO was incorporated into glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites, resulting in the creation of GO-GFRP composite materials. The sentry function was first used to investigate the damage evolution of the material. Then, the AE signals were analyzed using multivariate mode decomposition (MVMD) and the generalized S transform to identify the damage mechanisms. Finally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the fracture surfaces of the samples to confirm the material failure. The experiments identified four damage mechanisms: matrix cracking, fiber debonding, delamination failure, and fiber breakage. It was also found that GO-GFRP composites are more prone to fiber debonding compared to GFRP composites without added GO.

Evaluation of the effect of nano-graphene oxide on shear bond strength of conventional and resin-modified glass ionomer cement

OBJECTIVES

Recently, nano-graphene oxide (nGO), a material with unique mechanical properties, has been introduced to improve the properties of glass ionomer cement (GIC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of adding nGO on the shear bond strength (SBS) of conventional (CGIC) and resin-modified GIC (RMGIC).

METHODS

Sixty intact molars were mounted and their occlusal surface was cut at a depth of 1 mm below the dentinoenamel junction. 1 wt.% and 2 wt.% of nGO (US Research Nanomaterials, Inc.) were added to CGIC and RMGIC (GC Corporation). The samples were randomly divided into six groups (n = 10), including 1: CGIC,  2: CGIC + 1% GO, 3: CGIC + 2% GO, 4: RMGIC, 5: RMGIC + 1% GO, and 6: RMGIC + 2% GO. Plastic molds were placed on the surface of the dentin pretreated with 10% polyacrylic acid (GC Corporation) and filled with prepared cement according to the manufacturer's instruction. After 24 h of storage in an incubator, the SBS test was done by the universal testing machine. Data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey tests (p < .05).

RESULTS

In the group of CGIC, mean SBS was significantly lower than all other study groups (p < .001), and groups 5 (RMGIC + 1% GO) and 6 (RMGIC + 2% GO) showed significantly higher values compared to all other study groups (p < .001). However, the difference between groups 2 and 3, as well as the difference between groups 5 and 6, was not significant (p = .999 andp = .994, respectively). RMGI groups had significantly higher SBS than their corresponding CGIC groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of 1% and 2% nGO significantly increased the SBS of CGIC and RMGIC to the dentin, which can be considered as a promising point for wider clinical application of this material.