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.
This article studied some linear and nonlinear optical characteristics of different pH solutions from anthocyanin dye extract at 180 oC from red cabbage. First, the linear spectral characteristics, including absorption and transmittance in the range 400-800 nm for anthocyanin solution 5% v/v with different pHs, were achieved utilizing a UV/VIS spectrophotometer. The experimental results reveal a shift in the absorption toward the longer wavelength direction as pH values increment. Then, the nonlinear features were measured using the Z-scan technique with a CW 532 nm laser to measure the nonlinear absorption coefficient through an open aperture. A close aperture (diameter 2 mm) calculates the nonlinear refractive index. The open Z-scan sh
... Show MorePolyaniline Multi walled Carbon nanotubes (PANI/MWCNTs) nanocomposite thin films have been prepared by non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma jet on glass substrate with different weight percentage of MWCNTs 1, 2, 3, 4%. The diameter of the MWCNTs was in the range of 8-55 nm and length - - 55 55 μm. the nanocomposite thin films were characterized by UV-VIS, XRD, FTIR, and SEM. The optical studies show that the energy band gap of PANI/MWCNTs nanocomposites thin films will be different according to the MWCNTs polyaniline concentration. The XRD pattern indicates that the synthesized PANI/MWCNTs nanocomposite is amorphous. FTIR reveals the presence of MWCNTs nanoparticle embedded into polyaniline. SEM surface images show that the MWCNT
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Copper oxide thin films were synthesized by using spray pyrolysis deposition technique, in the temperature around 400°C in atmosphere from alcoholic solutions. Copper (II) chloride as precursor and glass as a substrate. The textural and structural properties of the films were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD). The average particle size determined from the AFM images ranged from 30 to 90 nm and the roughness average was equal to 9.3 nm. The XRD patterns revealed the formation of a polycrystalline hexagonal CuO. The absorption and transmission spectrum, band gap, film thickness was investigated. The films were tested as an |
This review article summarizes our research focused on Cu(In, Ga)Se2 (CIGS) nanocrystals, including their synthesis and implementation as the active light absorbing material in photovoltaic devices (PVs). CIGS thin films were prepared by arrested precipitation from molecular precursors consisting of CuCl, InCl3, GaCl3 and Se metal onto Mo/soda-lime glass (SLG) substrates. We have sought to use CIGS nanocrystals synthesized with the desired stoichiometry to deposit PV device layers without high temperature processing. This approach, using spray deposition of the CIGS light absorber layers, without high temperature selenization, has enabled up to 1.5 % power conversion efficiency under AM 1.5 solar illumination. The composition and morphology
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