Resilient polymeric materials such as silicone elastomers are currently used for maxillofacial prostheses construction but the strength of these materials and their clinical performance need to be optimized with the addition of reinforcing fillers. This study investigates the effect of zirconia nanopowder addition on tear strength, tensile strength, elongation at break, Shore A hardness, surface roughness and cytotoxicity of VST-50 maxillofacial silicone. Silicone base was mixed with different amounts (1%, 2% and 3%) of zirconia nanopowder using a vacuum mixer. Silicone without filler was used as control for comparison. Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy were utilized to assess the efficiency of high-shear vacuum mixing as filler dispersion method and the surface topography, respectively. Both SEM and AFM images showed that the zirconia nanopowder were distributed fairly well within the polymer. Statistically, highly significant increase in tear strength, tensile strength and hardness with non-significant decrease in elongation at break and non-significant increase in surface roughness were seen with 1% and 2% groups. Whereas with 3% group, there was significant improvement in tear strength, tensile strength and hardness but there was significant undesirable decrease in elongation and increase in roughness. Cytotoxicity test revealed that the addition of zirconia nanopowder was nontoxic to Rat Embryonic Fibroblast (REF) cells and there was non-significant change in the cell viability of all study groups after 24- and 72-hours incubation periods. In conclusion, the addition of 2% by weight nano zirconia to VST-50 maxillofacial silicone could be beneficial in enhancing its performance.
In this work, an organic semiconductor of copper (II) phthalocyanine (CuPc) and Tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (III) (Alq3) were entirely dissolved in chloroform with various mixing ratios (1:0,0.75:0.25,0.5:0.5,0.25:0.75,0:1) (w/w) to make thin films. They were deposited on a pre-cleaned glass using a spin-coating process and heat-treated at 473 K in vacuum. X-ray diffraction and a scanning electron microscope were used to investigate the films. XRD analysis reveals that CuPc/Alq3 composites have a polymorphic structure, with the exception of Alq3's amorphous structure, the crystallinity increases after annealing, but decreases when the concentration of Alq3 is increased. The quantity of (CuPc) rod-like structure and (Alq3) grain-lik
... Show MoreThe synthesis , characterization and mesomorphic behaviour of new Nacyl , thiourea and imidazole derivatives which derived from corresponding Schiff bases are reported. All the synthesized compounds which contain flexible methylene group in the centre of the molecule did not show any liquid crystalline properties . The derivatives of N- acyl [III]e and thiourea [VI]e which contain biphenyl and all compounds with one phenyl in the centre of the molecule display liquid crystalline behaviour .While the imidazoles did not show any liquid crystalline properties except [V]b [V]e with biphenyl in the centre of the molecule . All th
... Show MoreThe effect of heat treatment on the optical properties of the bulk heterojunction blend nickel (II) phthalocyanine tetrasulfonic acid tetrasodium salt and Tris (8-hydroxyquinolinato) Aluminum (NiPcTs/Alq3) thin films which prepared by spin coating was described in this study. The films coated on a glass substrate with speed of 1500 rpm for 1.5 min and treated with different annealing temperature (373, 423 and 473) K. The samples characterized using UV-Vis, X ray diffraction and Fourier transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra, XRD patterns indicated the presence of amorphous and polycrystalline blend (NiPcTs/Alq3). The results of UV visible shows that the band gap increase with increasing the annealing temperature up to 373 K and decreases with
... Show MoreDental casts come into direct contact with impression materials and other items that are contaminated by saliva and blood from a patient's mouth, leaving the casts susceptible to cross-contamination. The disinfectant solutions of the impression materials cause various adverse reactions. Therefore, disinfection of dental casts may be effective in preventing cross infection. This study was carried out to evaluate the surface hardness, dimensional accuracy, reproduction of details and surface porosity of type III, type IV and type IV extra hard dental stone after immersion in and spray by using SOLO and Sodium hypochlorite disinfectant solutions. Materials and methods: 240 Stone samples were prepared in rubber rings, A total of 60 test block w
... Show MoreThe nuclear size radii, density distributions and elastic electron scattering charge form factors for Fluorine isotopes (17,19,20,24,26F) were studied using the radial wave functions (WF) of harmonic-oscillator (HO) potential and free mean field described by spherical Hankel functions (SHF) for the core and the valence parts, respectively for all aforementioned isotopes. The parameters for HO potential (size parameter ) and SHF were chosen to regenerate the available experimental size radii. It was found that using spherical Hankel functions in our work improved the calculated results quantities in comparison with empirical data.
Vegetable sold oils (fat of the plant) were studied spectroscopy to determine its properties when it heating more than once, in this study the number of heating was 20 times and show the fat of the plant has been greatly affected by the heat. Aluminum and stainless steel were adopted for heating purposes. It turns out that the quality of the heating pot affects the spectrum specification. Changing the registered spectrum specifications for vegetable fat means a change in the characteristics of the same substance, which makes cooking use a second time with risks. Results were re-examined after six months showing significant risk of storage after heating to 300 oC the study proved that the structure of heating the vegetable oils changes an
... Show MoreThe major aim of this research is study the effect of the type of lightweight aggregate (Porcelinite and Thermostone), type and ratio of the pozzolanic material(SF and HRM) and the use of different ratios of w/cm ratio(0.32 and 0.35) on the properties of SCLWC in the fresh and hardened state. SF and HRM are used in three percentage 5%,10%, and 15% as a partial replacement by weight of
cement for all types of SCLWC. The requirements of self-compatibility for SCC are fulfilled by using the high performance superplasticizer (G51) at 1.2liter per 100 kg of cement. The values of air dry density and compressive strength at age of 28 days within the limits of structural lightweight concrete. The air dry density and compressive strength at a