Zirconia–parylene multilayer thin films for enhanced fracture resistance of dental ceramics

Low-Pressure Microwave Plasma Reduction of Iron and Copper Salt Compounds at Low Temperatures for Oxidation State Alteration and Functional Applications

The influence of plasma-reduction treatment on iron and copper compounds at different oxidation states was investigated in this study. For this purpose, reduction experiments were carried out with artificially generated patina on metal sheets and with metal salt crystals of iron(II) sulfate (FeSO₄), iron(III) chloride (FeCl₃), and copper(II) chloride (CuCl₂), as well as with the metal salt thin films of these compounds. All the experiments were carried out under cold low-pressure microwave plasma conditions; the main focus was on plasma reduction at a low pressure in order to evaluate an implementable process in a parylene-coating device. Usually, plasma is used within the parylene-coating process as a supporting tool for adhesion improvement and micro-cleaning efforts. This article offers another useful application for implementing plasma treatment as a reactive medium in order to apply different functionalities by an alteration in the oxidation state. The effect of microwave plasmas on metal surfaces and metal composite materials has been widely studied. In contrast, this work deals with metal salt surfaces generated from a solution and the influence of microwave plasma on metal chlorides and sulfates. While the plasma reduction of metal compounds commonly succeeds with hydrogen-containing plasmas at high temperatures, this study shows a new reduction process that reduces iron salts at temperatures between 30 and 50 °C. A novelty of this study is the alteration in the redox state of the base and noble metal materials within a parylene-coating device with the help of an implemented microwave generator. Another novelty of this study is treating metal salt thin layers for reduction purposes in order to provide the opportunity to include subsequent coating experiments to create parylene metal multilayers. Another new aspect of this study is the adapted reduction process of thin metal salt layers consisting of either noble or base metals, with an air plasma pre-treatment prior to the hydrogen-containing plasma-reduction procedure.

Microwave Plasma-Enhanced Parylene–Metal Multilayer Design from Metal Salts

In this paper, a new approach for the synthesis of Parylene–metal multilayers was examined. The metal layers were derived from a metal salt solution in methanol and a post-drying plasma reduction treatment. This process was designed as a one-pot synthesis, which needs a very low amount of resources and energy compared with those using electron beam sputtering processes. The Parylene coatings were obtained after reduction plasma treatments with Parylene C. Therefore, a Parylene coating device with an included plasma microwave generator was used to ensure the character of a one-pot synthesis. This process provided ultra-thin metal salt layers in the range of 1–2 nm for layer thickness and 10–30 nm for larger metal salt agglomerates all over the metal salt layer. The Parylene layers were obtained with thicknesses between approx. 4.5 and 4.7 µm from ellipsometric measurements and 5.7–6.3 µm measured by white light reflectometry. Tensile strength analysis showed an orthogonal pulling stress resistance of around 4500 N. A surface roughness of 4–8 nm for the metal layers, as well as 20–29 nm for the Parylene outer layer, were measured. The wettability for non-polar liquids with a contact angle of 30° was better than for polar liquids, such as water, achieving 87° on the Parylene C surfaces.

On the behaviour of zirconia-based dental materials: A review

Zirconia-based dental materials are extensively used in clinical practice due to their tooth-like appearance, biofunctionality, biocompatibility, and affordability. However, premature clinical failures of veneering porcelains raise a concern about their integrity. Extensive studies have been performed over a decade to resolve this issue, but it is challenging to reference all information effectively. A single source identifying the significance of potential parameters on material performance has not previously been available. An evidence-based meta-narrative review technique was used to review the characteristic parameters that can affect the overall behaviour of zirconia-based materials. Keywords were chosen to assess manuscripts based on scientific coherence with this paper's research objective. Online keyword searches were carried out on ScienceDirect, PubMed, and SAGE databases for relevant published manuscripts from year 1985-2020.261 out of 3170 identified manuscripts were included. A total of 10 parameters were identified and classified into the material, manufacturing, and geometric aspects. The effect of every parameter was reviewed on the performance of the material. A discrepancy in findings was observed and is attributed to the fact that there is no standard methodology. This review acts as a single source that summarizes various parameters' contribution to zirconia-based dental materials' performance. This review facilitates manufacturing improvements by accounting for every parameter's effect on overall performance.

Effect of different initial finishes and Parylene coating thickness on the surface properties of coated PMMA

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The colonization of microorganisms on acrylic resin dentures may result in denture-induced stomatitis. No efficient coating has yet been proposed to address this issue.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this in vitro study was to assess the effect of various initial surface finishes and different Parylene coating thicknesses on the surface roughness (Ra) and surface free energy (SFE) of Parylene coated polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One hundred and sixty PMMA specimens were produced and divided into 8 groups as follows: group A: uncoated, 1000 grit finish; group Ap1: 10 μm Parylene coated, 1000 grit finish; group B: uncoated, 1200 grit finish; group Bp: 10 μm Parylene coated, 1200 grit finish; group C: uncoated, 2400 grit finish; group Cp: 10 μm Parylene coated, 2400 grit finish; group Ap2: 20 μm Parylene coated, 1000 grit finish; group Ap3: 30 μm Parylene coated, 1000 grit finish. The Ra of all specimens was measured with a noncontact profilometer. To calculate the SFE, the Owens-Wendt approach was applied after measuring the contact angles with a goniometer. The topography of the specimens was observed by scanning electron microscope.

RESULTS

Groups Ap1 and Bp presented significantly lower Ra values compared with their respective uncoated groups A and B (P<.001). No statistical difference was found between the Ra values of groups C and Cp, between A and Ap3, and between Ap2 and Ap3. The SFE values of the coated groups were significantly higher than the SFE values of the uncoated groups with the same initial finish (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Coating with a 10-μm layer of Parylene C resulted in lower Ra values for the rougher groups and increased SFE values. Increasing the coating thickness resulted in an increase of the Ra.

The effect of Parylene coating on the surface roughness of PMMA after brushing

OBJECTIVES

Acrylic resins, used in the manufacturing of different types of intra-oral prostheses, are vulnerable to colonisation by microorganisms which potentially endanger the general health of the prostheses, wearers. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a novel coating (Parylene) on surface roughness of poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) samples after simulated cleansing using an electric toothbrush and two brushing media (paste and pumice).

METHODS

Fifty-six square PMMA samples were fabricated. Half of the samples were coated with a uniform 10μm, coating of Parylene. All samples were subjected to simulated brushing with either paste or pumice. Changes in surface roughness were measured with a laser non-contact profilometer and compared between groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy were utilised for surface visualisation and analysis.

RESULTS

In the coated samples, the mean surface roughness remained the same before and after brushing in the Paste group 2.69μm (SD=0.92 and SD=0.87 respectively), and increased from 3.73μm (SD=1.25) to, 5.05μm (SD=1.40) in the Pumice Group. In the uncoated samples, the mean surface roughness increased from 4.45μm (SD=0.92) to 6.73μm (SD=1.73) in the Paste group, and from 3.67μm (SD=0.74), to 7.50μm (SD=2.25) in the Pumice Group. Differences between the coated and uncoated groups were statistically significant (p<0.05). The surface analyses revealed that the coating remained adhered to the PMMA, although signs of partial detachment were noticed in the Pumice Group.

CONCLUSION

The Parylene coating resulted in a reduction of surface roughness of PMMA after brushing procedures.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Parylene appears to maintain a low surface roughness of PMMA after abrasion by brushing.

Oxygen plasma functionalization of parylene C coating for implants surface: nanotopography and active sites for drug anchoring

The effect of oxygen plasma treatment (t=0.1-60 min, pO2=0.2 mbar, P=50 W) of parylene C implant surface coating was investigated in order to check its influence on morphology (SEM, AFM observations), chemical composition (XPS analysis), hydrophilicity (contact angle measurements) and biocompatibility (MG-63 cell line and Staphylococcus aureus 24167 DSM adhesion screening). The modification procedure leads to oxygen insertion (up to 20 at.%) into the polymer matrix and together with surface topography changes has a dramatic impact on wettability (change of contact angle from θ=78±2 to θ=33±1.9 for unmodified and 60 min treated sample, respectively). As a result, the hydrophilic surface of modified parylene C promotes MG-63 cells growth and at the same time does not influence S. aureus adhesion. The obtained results clearly show that the plasma treatment of parylene C surface provides suitable polar groups (C=O, C-O, O-C=O, C-O-O and O-C(O)-O) for further development of the coating functionality.

Fracture toughness improvements of dental ceramic through use of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thin-film coatings

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate strengthening mechanisms of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thin film coatings as a viable method for improving fracture toughness of all-ceramic dental restorations.

METHODS

Bars (2mm×2mm×15mm, n=12) were cut from porcelain (ProCAD, Ivoclar-Vivadent) blocks and wet-polished through 1200-grit using SiC abrasive. A Vickers indenter was used to induce flaws with controlled size and geometry. Depositions were performed via radio frequency magnetron sputtering (5mT, 25°C, 30:1 Ar/O2 gas ratio) with varying powers of substrate bias. Film and flaw properties were characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Flexural strength was determined by three-point bending. Fracture toughness values were calculated from flaw size and fracture strength.

RESULTS

Data show improvements in fracture strength of up to 57% over unmodified specimens. XRD analysis shows that films deposited with higher substrate bias displayed a high %monoclinic volume fraction (19%) compared to non-biased deposited films (87%), and resulted in increased film stresses and modified YSZ microstructures. SEM analysis shows critical flaw sizes of 67±1μm leading to fracture toughness improvements of 55% over unmodified specimens.

SIGNIFICANCE

Data support surface modification of dental ceramics with YSZ thin film coatings to improve fracture toughness. Increase in construct strength was attributed to increase in compressive film stresses and modified YSZ thin film microstructures. It is believed that this surface modification may lead to significant improvements and overall reliability of all-ceramic dental restorations.