On the Mass Fractal Character of Si-Based Structural Networks in Amorphous Polymer Derived Ceramics
The intermediate-range packing of SiNxC4−x (0 ≤ x ≤ 4) tetrahedra in polysilycarbodiimide and polysilazane-derived amorphous SiCN ceramics is investigated using 29Si spin-lattice relaxation nuclear magnetic resonance (SLR NMR) spectroscopy. The SiCN network in the polysilylcarbodiimide-derived ceramic consists predominantly of SiN4 tetrahedra that are characterized by a 3-dimensional spatial distribution signifying compact packing of such units to form amorphous Si3N4 clusters. On the other hand, the SiCN network of the polysilazane-derived ceramic is characterized by mixed bonded SiNxC4−x tetrahedra that are inefficiently packed with a mass fractal dimension of Df ~2.5 that is significantly lower than the embedding Euclidean dimension (D = 3). This result unequivocally confirms the hypothesis that the presence of dissimilar atoms, namely, 4-coordinated C and 3-coordinated N, in the nearest neighbor environment of Si along with some exclusion in connectivity between SiCxN4−x tetrahedra with widely different N:C ratios and the absence of bonding between C and N result in steric hindrance to an efficient packing of these structural units. It is noted that similar inefficiencies in packing are observed in polymer-derived amorphous SiOC ceramics as well as in proteins and binary hard sphere systems.
Structure, energetics and bioactivity of silicon oxycarbide-based amorphous ceramics with highly connected networks
Mg and Ca substituted silicon oxycarbides are investigated with respect to their network architecture, enthalpy of formation and bioactivity. The synthesized materials have highly connected structural network with an open architecture and a minor but critical fraction of depolymerized Q-species. This combination of structural features allows for providing bioactivity at the same time with enhanced thermo-mechanical robustness and crystallization resistance. It is argued that silicon oxycarbide amorphous ceramics may consequently serve as model compounds for developing rational design concepts for advanced bioactive glasses.
Correlation between Fluoride Release, Microhardness and Solubility of High viscosity Glass Ionomers
This study was to measure and compare the amount of fluoride, microhardness and solubility of high viscosity glass ionomer and resin-reinforced glass ionomer during 84 days. Fuji IX GP EXTRA, Fuji IX GP, Fuji II LC and FiltekTM Z350XT stored in deionized water for 84 days to measure fluoride release, microhardness and solubility. As a result of measurement of fluoride release, all the glass ionomers showed the highest amount of fluoride release on day 1 and gradually decreased. Fuji IX GP EXTRA showed the highest amount of fluoride release and cumulative release. And Fuji IX GP and Fuji II LC showed no significant difference. Microhardness measurements showed that all experimental groups decreased 1 day after exposure to water. After 84 days, microhardness showed no significant difference between Fuji IX GP EXTRA and Fuji IX GP, and Fuji II LC was the lowest. In the solubility measurement, Fuji IX GP EXTRA, Fuji IX GP, and Fuji II LC increased rapidly to 21 days. After 21 days, there was no significant difference in the three groups. As a result, short term fluoride release affects solubility and microhardness, but long term fluoride release has no correlation. Through this study, the amount of fluoride, microhardness, and solubility of various glass ionomers were evaluated, and these properties could be applied clinically.