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Materials, Volume 8, Issue 3 (March 2015) – 32 articles , Pages 832-1368

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5182 KiB  
Article
Fabrication and Characterization of Single Phase α-Alumina Membranes with Tunable Pore Diameters
by Tatsuya Masuda, Hidetaka Asoh, Satoshi Haraguchi and Sachiko Ono
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1350-1368; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031350 - 20 Mar 2015
Cited by 55 | Viewed by 8879
Abstract
Nanoporous and single phase α-alumina membranes with pore diameters tunable over a wide range of approximately 60–350 nm were successfully fabricated by optimizing the conditions for anodizing, subsequent detachment, and heat treatment. The pore diameter increased and the cell diameter shrunk upon crystallization [...] Read more.
Nanoporous and single phase α-alumina membranes with pore diameters tunable over a wide range of approximately 60–350 nm were successfully fabricated by optimizing the conditions for anodizing, subsequent detachment, and heat treatment. The pore diameter increased and the cell diameter shrunk upon crystallization to α-alumina by approximately 20% and 3%, respectively, in accordance with the 23% volume shrinkage resulting from the change in density associated with the transformation from the amorphous state to α-alumina. Nevertheless, flat α-alumina membranes, each with a diameter of 25 mm and a thickness of 50 μm, were obtained without thermal deformation. The α-alumina membranes exhibited high chemical resistance in various concentrated acidic and alkaline solutions as well as when exposed to high temperature steam under pressure. The Young’s modulus and hardness of the single phase α-alumina membranes formed by heat treatment at 1250 °C were notably decreased compared to the corresponding amorphous membranes, presumably because of the nodular crystallite structure of the cell walls and the substantial increase in porosity. Furthermore, when used for filtration, the α-alumina membrane exhibited a level of flux higher than that of the commercial ceramic membrane. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Porous Materials)
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415 KiB  
Communication
Sugar-Responsive Pseudopolyrotaxane Composed of Phenylboronic Acid-Modified Polyethylene Glycol and γ-Cyclodextrin
by Tomohiro Seki, Misato Namiki, Yuya Egawa, Ryotaro Miki, Kazuhiko Juni and Toshinobu Seki
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1341-1349; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031341 - 20 Mar 2015
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 7128
Abstract
We have designed a sugar-responsive pseudopolyrotaxane (PPRX) by combining phenylboronic acid-modified polyethylene glycol (PBA–PEG) and γ-cyclodextrin. Phenylboronic acid (PBA) was used as a sugar-recognition motif in the PPRX because PBA reacts with a diol portion of the sugar molecule and forms a cyclic [...] Read more.
We have designed a sugar-responsive pseudopolyrotaxane (PPRX) by combining phenylboronic acid-modified polyethylene glycol (PBA–PEG) and γ-cyclodextrin. Phenylboronic acid (PBA) was used as a sugar-recognition motif in the PPRX because PBA reacts with a diol portion of the sugar molecule and forms a cyclic ester. When D-fructose or D-glucose was added to a suspension of PPRX, PPRX disintegrated, depending on the concentration of the sugars. Interestingly, catechol does not show a response although catechol has a high affinity for PBA. We analyzed the response mechanism of PPRX by considering equilibria. Full article
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1806 KiB  
Article
Hierarchical Composites to Reduce N-Nitrosamines in Cigarette Smoke
by Yan Yan Li, Yi Cao, Ming Bo Yue, Jing Yang and Jian Hua Zhu
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1325-1340; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031325 - 20 Mar 2015
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 6719
Abstract
In order to reduce the harmful constituents in cigarette smoke, two hierarchical composites were synthesized. Based on, zeolites HZSM-5 or NaY fragments were introduced into the synthetic system of mesoporous silica SBA-15 or MCM-41 and assembled with the mesoporous materials. These porous composites [...] Read more.
In order to reduce the harmful constituents in cigarette smoke, two hierarchical composites were synthesized. Based on, zeolites HZSM-5 or NaY fragments were introduced into the synthetic system of mesoporous silica SBA-15 or MCM-41 and assembled with the mesoporous materials. These porous composites combine the advantages of micro- and mesoporous materials, and exhibit higher effects than activated carbon on reducing tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNA) and some vapor phase compounds in smoke. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mesoporous Material 2015)
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5448 KiB  
Review
Chemical Potential Tuning and Enhancement of Thermoelectric Properties in Indium Selenides
by Jong-Soo Rhyee and Jin Hee Kim
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1283-1324; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031283 - 20 Mar 2015
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 8326
Abstract
Researchers have long been searching for the materials to enhance thermoelectric performance in terms of nano scale approach in order to realize phonon-glass-electron-crystal and quantum confinement effects. Peierls distortion can be a pathway to enhance thermoelectric figure-of-merit ZT by employing natural nano-wire-like electronic [...] Read more.
Researchers have long been searching for the materials to enhance thermoelectric performance in terms of nano scale approach in order to realize phonon-glass-electron-crystal and quantum confinement effects. Peierls distortion can be a pathway to enhance thermoelectric figure-of-merit ZT by employing natural nano-wire-like electronic and thermal transport. The phonon-softening known as Kohn anomaly, and Peierls lattice distortion decrease phonon energy and increase phonon scattering, respectively, and, as a result, they lower thermal conductivity. The quasi-one-dimensional electrical transport from anisotropic band structure ensures high Seebeck coefficient in Indium Selenide. The routes for high ZT materials development of In4Se3δ are discussed from quasi-one-dimensional property and electronic band structure calculation to materials synthesis, crystal growth, and their thermoelectric properties investigations. The thermoelectric properties of In4Se3δ can be enhanced by electron doping, as suggested from the Boltzmann transport calculation. Regarding the enhancement of chemical potential, the chlorine doped In4Se3δCl0.03 compound exhibits high ZT over a wide temperature range and shows state-of-the-art thermoelectric performance of ZT = 1.53 at 450 °C as an n-type material. It was proven that multiple elements doping can enhance chemical potential further. Here, we discuss the recent progress on the enhancement of thermoelectric properties in Indium Selenides by increasing chemical potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Low-Dimensional Anisotropic Thermoelectrics)
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1336 KiB  
Article
Composite Behavior of Insulated Concrete Sandwich Wall Panels Subjected to Wind Pressure and Suction
by Insub Choi, JunHee Kim and Ho-Ryong Kim
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1264-1282; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031264 - 19 Mar 2015
Cited by 56 | Viewed by 8127
Abstract
A full-scale experimental test was conducted to analyze the composite behavior of insulated concrete sandwich wall panels (ICSWPs) subjected to wind pressure and suction. The experimental program was composed of three groups of ICSWP specimens, each with a different type of insulation and [...] Read more.
A full-scale experimental test was conducted to analyze the composite behavior of insulated concrete sandwich wall panels (ICSWPs) subjected to wind pressure and suction. The experimental program was composed of three groups of ICSWP specimens, each with a different type of insulation and number of glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) shear grids. The degree of composite action of each specimen was analyzed according to the load direction, type of the insulation, and number of GFRP shear grids by comparing the theoretical and experimental values. The failure modes of the ICSWPs were compared to investigate the effect of bonds according to the load direction and type of insulation. Bonds based on insulation absorptiveness were effective to result in the composite behavior of ICSWP under positive loading tests only, while bonds based on insulation surface roughness were effective under both positive and negative loading tests. Therefore, the composite behavior based on surface roughness can be applied to the calculation of the design strength of ICSWPs with continuous GFRP shear connectors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Advanced Composites)
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2616 KiB  
Article
Gas-Phase Deposition of Ultrathin Aluminium Oxide Films on Nanoparticles at Ambient Conditions
by David Valdesueiro, Gabrie M. H. Meesters, Michiel T. Kreutzer and J. Ruud Van Ommen
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1249-1263; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031249 - 19 Mar 2015
Cited by 39 | Viewed by 7884
Abstract
We have deposited aluminium oxide films by atomic layer deposition on titanium oxide nanoparticles in a fluidized bed reactor at 27 ± 3 °C and atmospheric pressure. Working at room temperature allows coating heat-sensitive materials, while working at atmospheric pressure would simplify the [...] Read more.
We have deposited aluminium oxide films by atomic layer deposition on titanium oxide nanoparticles in a fluidized bed reactor at 27 ± 3 °C and atmospheric pressure. Working at room temperature allows coating heat-sensitive materials, while working at atmospheric pressure would simplify the scale-up of this process. We performed 4, 7 and 15 cycles by dosing a predefined amount of precursors, i.e., trimethyl aluminium and water. We obtained a growth per cycle of 0.14–0.15 nm determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), similar to atomic layer deposition (ALD) experiments at a few millibars and ~180 °C. We also increased the amount of precursors dosed by a factor of 2, 4 and 6 compared to the base case, maintaining the same purging time. The growth per cycle (GPC) increased, although not linearly, with the dosing time. In addition, we performed an experiment at 170 °C and 1 bar using the dosing times increased by factor 6, and obtained a growth per cycle of 0.16 nm. These results were verified with elemental analysis, which showed a good agreement with the results from TEM pictures. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) showed a negligible amount of unreacted molecules inside the alumina films. Overall, the dosage of the precursors is crucial to control precisely the growth of the alumina films at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. Dosing excess of precursor provokes a chemical vapour deposition type of growth due to the physisorption of molecules on the particles, but this can be avoided by working at high temperatures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Core-Shell Structures)
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4463 KiB  
Article
Comparative Study of Structure-Property Relationships in Polymer Networks Based on Bis-GMA, TEGDMA and Various Urethane-Dimethacrylates
by Izabela Barszczewska-Rybarek and Sebastian Jurczyk
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1230-1248; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031230 - 19 Mar 2015
Cited by 36 | Viewed by 8361
Abstract
The effect of various dimethacrylates on the structure and properties of homo- and copolymer networks was studied. The 2,2-bis-[4-(2-hydroxy-3- methacryloyloxypropoxy)phenyl]-propane) (Bis-GMA), triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) and 1,6-bis-(methacryloyloxy-2-ethoxycarbonylamino)-2,4,4-trimethylhexane (HEMA/TMDI), all popular in dentistry, as well as five urethane-dimethacrylate (UDMA) alternatives of HEMA/TMDI were used [...] Read more.
The effect of various dimethacrylates on the structure and properties of homo- and copolymer networks was studied. The 2,2-bis-[4-(2-hydroxy-3- methacryloyloxypropoxy)phenyl]-propane) (Bis-GMA), triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) and 1,6-bis-(methacryloyloxy-2-ethoxycarbonylamino)-2,4,4-trimethylhexane (HEMA/TMDI), all popular in dentistry, as well as five urethane-dimethacrylate (UDMA) alternatives of HEMA/TMDI were used as monomers. UDMAs were obtained from mono-, di- and tri(ethylene glycol) monomethacrylates and various commercial diisocyanates. The chemical structure, degree of conversion (DC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) fracture morphology were related to the mechanical properties of the polymers: flexural strength and modulus, hardness, as well as impact strength. Impact resistance was widely discussed, being lower than expected in the case of poly(UDMA)s. It was caused by the heterogeneous morphology of these polymers and only moderate strength of hydrogen bonds between urethane groups, which was not high enough to withstand high impact energy. Bis-GMA, despite having the highest polymer morphological heterogeneity, ensured fair impact resistance, due to having the strongest hydrogen bonds between hydroxyl groups. The TEGDMA homopolymer, despite being heterogeneous, produced the smoothest morphology, which resulted in the lowest brittleness. The UDMA monomer, having diethylene glycol monomethacrylate wings and the isophorone core, could be the most suitable HEMA/TMDI alternative. Its copolymer with Bis-GMA and TEGDMA had improved DC as well as all the mechanical properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Materials)
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923 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Optimum Usage of Slag for the Compressive Strength of Concrete
by Han-Seung Lee, Xiao-Yong Wang, Li-Na Zhang and Kyung-Taek Koh
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1213-1229; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031213 - 18 Mar 2015
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 5736
Abstract
Ground granulated blast furnace slag is widely used as a mineral admixture to replace partial Portland cement in the concrete industry. As the amount of slag increases, the late-age compressive strength of concrete mixtures increases. However, after an optimum point, any further increase [...] Read more.
Ground granulated blast furnace slag is widely used as a mineral admixture to replace partial Portland cement in the concrete industry. As the amount of slag increases, the late-age compressive strength of concrete mixtures increases. However, after an optimum point, any further increase in slag does not improve the late-age compressive strength. This optimum replacement ratio of slag is a crucial factor for its efficient use in the concrete industry. This paper proposes a numerical procedure to analyze the optimum usage of slag for the compressive strength of concrete. This numerical procedure starts with a blended hydration model that simulates cement hydration, slag reaction, and interactions between cement hydration and slag reaction. The amount of calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) is calculated considering the contributions from cement hydration and slag reaction. Then, by using the CSH contents, the compressive strength of the slag-blended concrete is evaluated. Finally, based on the parameter analysis of the compressive strength development of concrete with different slag inclusions, the optimum usage of slag in concrete mixtures is determined to be approximately 40% of the total binder content. The proposed model is verified through experimental results of the compressive strength of slag-blended concrete with different water-to-binder ratios and different slag inclusions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Advanced Composites)
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2727 KiB  
Article
GaN Micromechanical Resonators with Meshed Metal Bottom Electrode
by Azadeh Ansari, Che-Yu Liu, Chien-Chung Lin, Hao-Chung Kuo, Pei-Cheng Ku and Mina Rais-Zadeh
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1204-1212; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031204 - 17 Mar 2015
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 8475
Abstract
This work describes a novel architecture to realize high-performance gallium nitride (GaN) bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonators. The method is based on the growth of a thick GaN layer on a metal electrode grid. The fabrication process starts with the growth of a [...] Read more.
This work describes a novel architecture to realize high-performance gallium nitride (GaN) bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonators. The method is based on the growth of a thick GaN layer on a metal electrode grid. The fabrication process starts with the growth of a thin GaN buffer layer on a Si (111) substrate. The GaN buffer layer is patterned and trenches are made and refilled with sputtered tungsten (W)/silicon dioxide (SiO2) forming passivated metal electrode grids. GaN is then regrown, nucleating from the exposed GaN seed layer and coalescing to form a thick GaN device layer. A metal electrode can be deposited and patterned on top of the GaN layer. This method enables vertical piezoelectric actuation of the GaN layer using its largest piezoelectric coefficient (d33) for thickness-mode resonance. Having a bottom electrode also results in a higher coupling coefficient, useful for the implementation of acoustic filters. Growth of GaN on Si enables releasing the device from the frontside using isotropic xenon difluoride (XeF2) etch and therefore eliminating the need for backside lithography and etching. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Compound Semiconductor Materials 2014)
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828 KiB  
Review
Recent Progress in Electrochemical HbA1c Sensors: A Review
by Baozhen Wang and Jun-ichi Anzai
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1187-1203; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031187 - 17 Mar 2015
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 8626
Abstract
This article reviews recent progress made in the development of electrochemical glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) sensors for the diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus. Electrochemical HbA1c sensors are divided into two categories based on the detection protocol of the sensors. The first type of [...] Read more.
This article reviews recent progress made in the development of electrochemical glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) sensors for the diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus. Electrochemical HbA1c sensors are divided into two categories based on the detection protocol of the sensors. The first type of sensor directly detects HbA1c by binding HbA1c on the surface of an electrode through bio-affinity of antibody and boronic acids, followed by an appropriate mode of signal transduction. In the second type of sensor, HbA1c is indirectly determined by detecting a digestion product of HbA1c, fructosyl valine (FV). Thus, the former sensors rely on the selective binding of HbA1c to the surface of the electrodes followed by electrochemical signaling in amperometric, voltammetric, impedometric, or potentiometric mode. Redox active markers, such as ferrocene derivatives and ferricyanide/ferrocyanide ions, are often used for electrochemical signaling. For the latter sensors, HbA1c must be digested in advance by proteolytic enzymes to produce the FV fragment. FV is electrochemically detected through catalytic oxidation by fructosyl amine oxidase or by selective binding to imprinted polymers. The performance characteristics of HbA1c sensors are discussed in relation to their use in the diagnosis and control of diabetic mellitus. Full article
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2531 KiB  
Article
Preparation and Electrical Properties of La0.9Sr0.1TiO3+δ
by Wenzhi Li, Zhuang Ma, Lihong Gao and Fuchi Wang
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1176-1186; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031176 - 17 Mar 2015
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5016
Abstract
La1xSrxTiO3+δ (LST) has been studied in many fields, especially in the field of microelectronics due to its excellent electrical performance. Our previous theoretical simulated work has suggested that LST has good dielectric properties, but there are [...] Read more.
La1xSrxTiO3+δ (LST) has been studied in many fields, especially in the field of microelectronics due to its excellent electrical performance. Our previous theoretical simulated work has suggested that LST has good dielectric properties, but there are rare reports about this, especially experimental reports. In this paper, LST was prepared using a solid-state reaction method. The X-rays diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), broadband dielectric spectroscopy, impedance spectroscopy and photoconductive measurement were used to characterize the sample. The results show that the values of dielectric parameters (the relative dielectric constant εr and dielectric loss tanδ), dependent on temperature, are stable under 350 °C and the value of the relative dielectric constant and dielectric loss are about 52–88 and 6.5 × 10−3, respectively. Its value of conductivity increases with rise in temperature, which suggests its negative temperature coefficient of the resistance. In addition, the band gap of LST is about 3.39 eV, so it belongs to a kind of wide-band-gap semiconductor materials. All these indicate that LST has anti-interference ability and good dielectric properties. It could have potential applications as an electronic material. Full article
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1593 KiB  
Article
Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties Improvement in Liquid-Phase-Sintered Hydroxyapatite by Laser Sintering
by Songlin Duan, Pei Feng, Chengde Gao, Tao Xiao, Kun Yu, Cijun Shuai and Shuping Peng
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1162-1175; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031162 - 17 Mar 2015
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 7162
Abstract
CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 (CAS) as a liquid phase was introduced into hydroxyapatite (HAp) to prepare bone scaffolds. The effects of the CAS content (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wt%) on microstructure and mechanical properties of HAp ceramics were investigated. [...] Read more.
CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 (CAS) as a liquid phase was introduced into hydroxyapatite (HAp) to prepare bone scaffolds. The effects of the CAS content (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wt%) on microstructure and mechanical properties of HAp ceramics were investigated. The optimal compression strength, fracture toughness and Vickers hardness reached 22.22 MPa, 1.68 MPa·m1/2 and 4.47 GPa when 3 wt% CAS was added, which were increased by 105%, 63% and 11% compared with those of HAp ceramics without CAS, respectively. The improvement of the mechanical properties was attributed to the improved densification, which was caused by the solid particle to rearrange during liquid phase sintering. Moreover, simulated body fluid (SBF) study indicated the HAp ceramics could maintain the mechanical properties and form a bone-like apatite layer when they were immersed in SBF. Cell culture was used to evaluate biocompatibility of the HAp ceramics. The results demonstrated MG-63 cells adhered and spread well. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioceramics)
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1582 KiB  
Article
Combined Effect of a Microporous Layer and Type I Collagen Coating on a Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering
by Mun-Hwan Lee, Changkook You and Kyo-Han Kim
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1150-1161; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031150 - 16 Mar 2015
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 7296
Abstract
In this study, type I collagen was coated onto unmodified and modified microporous biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) scaffolds. Surface characterization using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a surface goniometer confirmed the modification of the BCP coating. The quantity of the collagen coating [...] Read more.
In this study, type I collagen was coated onto unmodified and modified microporous biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) scaffolds. Surface characterization using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a surface goniometer confirmed the modification of the BCP coating. The quantity of the collagen coating was investigated using Sirius Red staining, and quantitative assessment of the collagen coating showed no significant differences between the two groups. MG63 cells were used to evaluate cell proliferation and ALP activity on the modified BCP scaffolds. The modified microporous surfaces showed low contact angles and large surface areas, which enhanced cell spreading and proliferation. Coating of the BCP scaffolds with type I collagen led to enhanced cell-material interactions and improved MG63 functions, such as spreading, proliferation, and differentiation. The micropore/collagen-coated scaffold showed the highest rate of cell response. These results indicate that a combination of micropores and collagen enhances cellular function on bioengineered bone allograft tissue. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Materials)
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3337 KiB  
Review
Hierarchical Architecturing for Layered Thermoelectric Sulfides and Chalcogenides
by Priyanka Jood and Michihiro Ohta
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1124-1149; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031124 - 16 Mar 2015
Cited by 64 | Viewed by 10730 | Correction
Abstract
Sulfides are promising candidates for environment-friendly and cost-effective thermoelectric materials. In this article, we review the recent progress in all-length-scale hierarchical architecturing for sulfides and chalcogenides, highlighting the key strategies used to enhance their thermoelectric performance. We primarily focus on TiS2-based [...] Read more.
Sulfides are promising candidates for environment-friendly and cost-effective thermoelectric materials. In this article, we review the recent progress in all-length-scale hierarchical architecturing for sulfides and chalcogenides, highlighting the key strategies used to enhance their thermoelectric performance. We primarily focus on TiS2-based layered sulfides, misfit layered sulfides, homologous chalcogenides, accordion-like layered Sn chalcogenides, and thermoelectric minerals. CS2 sulfurization is an appropriate method for preparing sulfide thermoelectric materials. At the atomic scale, the intercalation of guest atoms/layers into host crystal layers, crystal-structural evolution enabled by the homologous series, and low-energy atomic vibration effectively scatter phonons, resulting in a reduced lattice thermal conductivity. At the nanoscale, stacking faults further reduce the lattice thermal conductivity. At the microscale, the highly oriented microtexture allows high carrier mobility in the in-plane direction, leading to a high thermoelectric power factor. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Low-Dimensional Anisotropic Thermoelectrics)
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4663 KiB  
Article
Corrosion Behavior of Detonation Gun Sprayed Fe-Al Type Intermetallic Coating
by Cezary Senderowski, Michal Chodala and Zbigniew Bojar
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1108-1123; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031108 - 13 Mar 2015
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 6577
Abstract
The detonation gun sprayed Fe-Al type coatings as an alternative for austenitic valve steel, were investigated using two different methods of testing corrosion resistance. High temperature, 10-hour isothermal oxidation experiments at 550, 750, 950 and 1100 °C show differences in the oxidation behavior [...] Read more.
The detonation gun sprayed Fe-Al type coatings as an alternative for austenitic valve steel, were investigated using two different methods of testing corrosion resistance. High temperature, 10-hour isothermal oxidation experiments at 550, 750, 950 and 1100 °C show differences in the oxidation behavior of Fe-Al type coatings under air atmosphere. The oxide layer ensures satisfying oxidation resistance, even at 950 and 1100 °C. Hematite, α-Al2O3 and metastable alumina phases were noticed on the coatings top surface, which preserves its initial thickness providing protection to the underlying substrate. In general, only negligible changes of the phase composition of the coatings were noticed with simultaneous strengthening controlled in the micro-hardness measurements, even after 10-hours of heating at 1100 °C. On the other hand, the electrochemical corrosion tests, which were carried out in 200 ppm Cl (NaCl) and pH ~4 (H2SO4) solution to simulate the acid-rain environment, reveal higher values of the breakdown potential for D-gun sprayed Fe-Al type coatings than the ones for the bulk Fe-Al type alloy and Cr21Mn9Ni4 austenitic valve steel. This enables these materials to be used in structural and multifunctional applications in aggressive environments, including acidic ones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intermetallic Alloys: Fabrication, Properties and Applications)
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379 KiB  
Article
Factorial Design Approach in Proportioning Prestressed Self-Compacting Concrete
by Wu-Jian Long, Kamal Henri Khayat, Guillaume Lemieux, Feng Xing and Wei-Lun Wang
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1089-1107; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031089 - 13 Mar 2015
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5189
Abstract
In order to model the effect of mixture parameters and material properties on the hardened properties of, prestressed self-compacting concrete (SCC), and also to investigate the extensions of the statistical models, a factorial design was employed to identify the relative significance of these [...] Read more.
In order to model the effect of mixture parameters and material properties on the hardened properties of, prestressed self-compacting concrete (SCC), and also to investigate the extensions of the statistical models, a factorial design was employed to identify the relative significance of these primary parameters and their interactions in terms of the mechanical and visco-elastic properties of SCC. In addition to the 16 fractional factorial mixtures evaluated in the modeled region of −1 to +1, eight axial mixtures were prepared at extreme values of −2 and +2 with the other variables maintained at the central points. Four replicate central mixtures were also evaluated. The effects of five mixture parameters, including binder type, binder content, dosage of viscosity-modifying admixture (VMA), water-cementitious material ratio (w/cm), and sand-to-total aggregate ratio (S/A) on compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, as well as autogenous and drying shrinkage are discussed. The applications of the models to better understand trade-offs between mixture parameters and carry out comparisons among various responses are also highlighted. A logical design approach would be to use the existing model to predict the optimal design, and then run selected tests to quantify the influence of the new binder on the model. Full article
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1587 KiB  
Article
Cellular Response to Doping of High Porosity Foamed Alumina with Ca, P, Mg, and Si
by Edwin Soh, Elizabeth Kolos and Andrew J. Ruys
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1074-1088; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031074 - 13 Mar 2015
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 6465
Abstract
Foamed alumina was previously synthesised by direct foaming of sulphate salt blends varying ammonium mole fraction (AMF), foaming heating rate and sintering temperature. The optimal product was produced with 0.33AMF, foaming at 100 °C/h and sintering at 1600 °C. This product attained high [...] Read more.
Foamed alumina was previously synthesised by direct foaming of sulphate salt blends varying ammonium mole fraction (AMF), foaming heating rate and sintering temperature. The optimal product was produced with 0.33AMF, foaming at 100 °C/h and sintering at 1600 °C. This product attained high porosity of 94.39%, large average pore size of 300 µm and the highest compressive strength of 384 kPa. To improve bioactivity, doping of porous alumina by soaking in dilute or saturated solutions of Ca, P, Mg, CaP or CaP + Mg was done. Saturated solutions of Ca, P, Mg, CaP and CaP + Mg were made with excess salt in distilled water and decanted. Dilute solutions were made by diluting the 100% solution to 10% concentration. Doping with Si was done using the sol gel method at 100% concentration only. Cell culture was carried out with MG63 osteosarcoma cells. Cellular response to the Si and P doped samples was positive with high cell populations and cell layer formation. The impact of doping with phosphate produced a result not previously reported. The cellular response showed that both Si and P doping improved the biocompatibility of the foamed alumina. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioceramics)
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900 KiB  
Article
Photocatalytic, Morphological and Structural Properties of the TiO2-SiO2-Ag Porous Structures Based System
by Gábor Kovács, Zsolt Pap, Cosmin Coteț, Veronica Coșoveanu, Lucian Baia and Virginia Danciu
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1059-1073; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031059 - 12 Mar 2015
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 8846
Abstract
TiO2-SiO2-based nanocomposites with highly porous structures are gaining ever increasing attention due to their specific properties and large variability of synthesis pathways together with wide information on the impact of the synthesis on the activity of the catalyst. This [...] Read more.
TiO2-SiO2-based nanocomposites with highly porous structures are gaining ever increasing attention due to their specific properties and large variability of synthesis pathways together with wide information on the impact of the synthesis on the activity of the catalyst. This thereby offers an alternative approach to traditional/commercially available photocatalysts. In our work TiO2-SiO2 based aerogels were obtained and modified with various amount of Ag nanoparticles, using different synthesis pathways. In the first instance their photocatalytic activity was examined in detail, by observing major differences toward salicylic acid and correlating them with their morphological and structural properties (investigating their mesoporous character, band-gap values, crystallinity grade etc.). Applying different techniques such as diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray diffraction measurements (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman- and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) the nanoparticles and their composite morphological and structural details were successfully evaluated. Major differences were observed in the activity towards salicylic acid. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photocatalytic Materials)
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625 KiB  
Article
Structure and Transport Properties of the BiCuSeO-BiCuSO Solid Solution
by David Berardan, Jing Li, Emilie Amzallag, Sunanda Mitra, Jiehe Sui, Wei Cai and Nita Dragoe
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1043-1058; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031043 - 12 Mar 2015
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 8645
Abstract
In this paper, we report on the crystal structure and the electrical and thermal transport properties of the BiCuSe1−xSxO series. From the evolution of the structural parameters with the substitution rate, we can confidently conclude that a complete solid [...] Read more.
In this paper, we report on the crystal structure and the electrical and thermal transport properties of the BiCuSe1−xSxO series. From the evolution of the structural parameters with the substitution rate, we can confidently conclude that a complete solid solution exists between the BiCuSeO and BiCuSO end members, without any miscibility gap. However, the decrease of the stability of the materials when increasing the sulfur fraction, with a simultaneous volatilization, makes it difficult to obtain S-rich samples in a single phase. The band gap of the materials linearly increases between 0.8 eV for BiCuSeO and 1.1 eV in BiCuSO, and the covalent character of the Cu-Ch (Ch = chalcogen element, namely S or Se here) bond slightly decreases when increasing the sulfur fraction. The thermal conductivity of the end members is nearly the same, but a significant decrease is observed for the samples belonging to the solid solution, which can be explained by point defect scattering due to atomic mass and radii fluctuations between Se and S. When increasing the sulfur fraction, the electrical resistivity of the samples strongly increases, which could be linked to an evolution of the energy of formation of copper vacancies, which act as acceptor dopants in these materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Low-Dimensional Anisotropic Thermoelectrics)
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7795 KiB  
Article
Precursor-Less Coating of Nanoparticles in the Gas Phase
by Tobias V. Pfeiffer, Puneet Kedia, Maria E. Messing, Mario Valvo and Andreas Schmidt-Ott
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1027-1042; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031027 - 11 Mar 2015
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 7304
Abstract
This article introduces a continuous, gas-phase method for depositing thin metallic coatings onto (nano)particles using a type of physical vapor deposition (PVD) at ambient pressure and temperature. An aerosol of core particles is mixed with a metal vapor cloud formed by spark ablation [...] Read more.
This article introduces a continuous, gas-phase method for depositing thin metallic coatings onto (nano)particles using a type of physical vapor deposition (PVD) at ambient pressure and temperature. An aerosol of core particles is mixed with a metal vapor cloud formed by spark ablation by passing the aerosol through the spark zone using a hollow electrode configuration. The mixing process rapidly quenches the vapor, which condenses onto the core particles at a timescale of several tens of milliseconds in a manner that can be modeled as bimodal coagulation. Gold was deposited onto core nanoparticles consisting of silver or polystyrene latex, and silver was deposited onto gold nanoparticles. The coating morphology depends on the relative surface energies of the core and coating materials, similar to the growth mechanisms known for thin films: a coating made of a substance having a high surface energy typically results in a patchy coverage, while a coating material with a low surface energy will normally “wet” the surface of a core particle. The coated particles remain gas-borne, allowing further processing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Core-Shell Structures)
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1397 KiB  
Article
Gelatin Tight-Coated Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) Scaffold Incorporating rhBMP-2 for Bone Tissue Engineering
by Juan Wang, Dongsong Li, Tianyi Li, Jianxun Ding, Jianguo Liu, Baosheng Li and Xuesi Chen
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1009-1026; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031009 - 10 Mar 2015
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 8070
Abstract
Surface coating is the simplest surface modification. However, bioactive molecules can not spread well on the commonly used polylactone-type skeletons; thus, the surface coatings of biomolecules are typically unstable due to the weak interaction between the polymer and the bioactive molecules. In this [...] Read more.
Surface coating is the simplest surface modification. However, bioactive molecules can not spread well on the commonly used polylactone-type skeletons; thus, the surface coatings of biomolecules are typically unstable due to the weak interaction between the polymer and the bioactive molecules. In this study, a special type of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)-based scaffold with a loosened skeleton was fabricated by phase separation, which allowed gelatin molecules to more readily diffuse throughout the structure. In this application, gelatin modified both the internal substrate and external surface. After cross-linking with glutaraldehyde, the surface layer gelatin was tightly bound to the diffused gelatin, thereby preventing the surface layer gelatin coating from falling off within 14 days. After gelatin modification, PLGA scaffold demonstrated enhanced hydrophilicity and improved mechanical properties (i.e., increased compression strength and elastic modulus) in dry and wet states. Furthermore, a sustained release profile of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) was achieved in the coated scaffold. The coated scaffold also supported the in vitro attachment, proliferation, and osteogenesis of rabbit bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), indicating the bioactivity of rhBMP-2. These results collectively demonstrate that the cross-linked-gelatin-coated porous PLGA scaffold incorporating bioactive molecules is a promising candidate for bone tissue regeneration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanics of Biomaterials)
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2486 KiB  
Article
Polypropylene Biocomposites with Boron Nitride and Nanohydroxyapatite Reinforcements
by Kai Wang Chan, Hoi Man Wong, Kelvin Wai Kwok Yeung and Sie Chin Tjong
Materials 2015, 8(3), 992-1008; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8030992 - 10 Mar 2015
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 7462
Abstract
In this study, we develop binary polypropylene (PP) composites with hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanoplatelets and ternary hybrids reinforced with hBN and nanohydroxyapatite (nHA). Filler hybridization is a sound approach to make novel nanocomposites with useful biological and mechanical properties. Tensile test, osteoblastic [...] Read more.
In this study, we develop binary polypropylene (PP) composites with hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanoplatelets and ternary hybrids reinforced with hBN and nanohydroxyapatite (nHA). Filler hybridization is a sound approach to make novel nanocomposites with useful biological and mechanical properties. Tensile test, osteoblastic cell culture and dimethyl thiazolyl diphenyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay were employed to investigate the mechanical performance, bioactivity and biocompatibility of binary PP/hBN and ternary PP/hBN-nHA composites. The purpose is to prepare biocomposite nanomaterials with good mechanical properties and biocompatibility for replacing conventional polymer composites reinforced with large hydroxyapatite microparticles at a high loading of 40 vol%. Tensile test reveals that the elastic modulus of PP composites increases, while tensile elongation decreases with increasing hBN content. Hybridization of hBN with nHA further enhances elastic modulus of PP. The cell culture and MTT assay show that osteoblastic cells attach and proliferate on binary PP/hBN and ternary PP/hBN-20%nHA nanocomposites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanics of Biomaterials)
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767 KiB  
Article
Fibrin Hydrogel Based Bone Substitute Tethered with BMP-2 and BMP-2/7 Heterodimers
by Lindsay S. Karfeld-Sulzer, Barbara Siegenthaler, Chafik Ghayor and Franz E. Weber
Materials 2015, 8(3), 977-991; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8030977 - 06 Mar 2015
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 6183
Abstract
Current clinically used delivery methods for bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are collagen based and require large concentrations that can lead to dangerous side effects. Fibrin hydrogels can serve as osteoinductive bone substitute materials in non-load bearing bone defects in combination with BMPs. Two [...] Read more.
Current clinically used delivery methods for bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are collagen based and require large concentrations that can lead to dangerous side effects. Fibrin hydrogels can serve as osteoinductive bone substitute materials in non-load bearing bone defects in combination with BMPs. Two strategies to even further optimize such a fibrin based system include employing more potent BMP heterodimers and engineering growth factors that can be covalently tethered to and slowly released from a fibrin matrix. Here we present an engineered BMP-2/BMP-7 heterodimer where an N-terminal transglutaminase substrate domain in the BMP-2 portion provides covalent attachment to fibrin together with a central plasmin substrate domain, a cleavage site for local release of the attached BMP-2/BMP-7 heterodimer under the influence of cell-activated plasmin. In vitro and in vivo results revealed that the engineered BMP-2/BMP-7 heterodimer induces significantly more alkaline phosphatase activity in pluripotent cells and bone formation in a rat calvarial model than the engineered BMP-2 homodimer. Therefore, the engineered BMP-2/BMP-7 heterodimer could be used to reduce the amount of BMP needed for clinical effect. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Bone Substitute Materials)
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1417 KiB  
Article
Film Growth Rates and Activation Energies for Core-Shell Nanoparticles Derived from a CVD Based Aerosol Process
by Frederik Weis, Martin Seipenbusch and Gerhard Kasper
Materials 2015, 8(3), 966-976; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8030966 - 06 Mar 2015
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 7573
Abstract
Silica core-shell nanoparticles of about 60–120 nm with a closed outer layer of bismuth or molybdenum oxide of 1–10 nm were synthesized by an integrated chemical vapor synthesis/chemical vapor deposition process at atmospheric pressure. Film growth rates and activation energies were derived from [...] Read more.
Silica core-shell nanoparticles of about 60–120 nm with a closed outer layer of bismuth or molybdenum oxide of 1–10 nm were synthesized by an integrated chemical vapor synthesis/chemical vapor deposition process at atmospheric pressure. Film growth rates and activation energies were derived from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images for a deposition process based on molybdenum hexacarbonyl and triphenyl bismuth as respective coating precursors. Respective activation energies of 123 ± 10 and 155 ± 10 kJ/mol are in good agreement with the literature and support a deposition mechanism based on surface-induced removal of the precursor ligands. Clean substrate surfaces are thus prerequisite for conformal coatings. Integrated aerosol processes are solvent-free and intrinsically clean. In contrast, commercial silica substrate particles were found to suffer from organic residues which hinder shell formation, and require an additional calcination step to clean the surface prior to coating. Dual layer core-shell structures with molybdenum oxide on bismuth oxide were synthesized with two coating reactors in series and showed similar film growth rates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Core-Shell Structures)
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761 KiB  
Article
Fe-Doping Effect on Thermoelectric Properties of p-Type Bi0.48Sb1.52Te3
by Hyeona Mun, Kyu Hyoung Lee, Suk Jun Kim, Jong-Young Kim, Jeong Hoon Lee, Jae-Hong Lim, Hee Jung Park, Jong Wook Roh and Sung Wng Kim
Materials 2015, 8(3), 959-965; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8030959 - 05 Mar 2015
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 7060
Abstract
The substitutional doping approach has been shown to be an effective strategy to improve ZT of Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric raw materials. We herein report the Fe-doping effects on electronic and thermal transport properties of polycrystalline bulks of p-type Bi [...] Read more.
The substitutional doping approach has been shown to be an effective strategy to improve ZT of Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric raw materials. We herein report the Fe-doping effects on electronic and thermal transport properties of polycrystalline bulks of p-type Bi0.48Sb1.52Te3. After a small amount of Fe-doping on Bi/Sb-sites, the power factor could be enhanced due to the optimization of carrier concentration. Additionally, lattice thermal conductivity was reduced by the intensified point-defect phonon scattering originating from the mass difference between the host atoms (Bi/Sb) and dopants (Fe). An enhanced ZT of 1.09 at 300 K was obtained in 1.0 at% Fe-doped Bi0.48Sb1.52Te3 by these synergetic effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Low-Dimensional Anisotropic Thermoelectrics)
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1599 KiB  
Review
A Critical Review of Dental Implant Materials with an Emphasis on Titanium versus Zirconia
by Reham B. Osman and Michael V. Swain
Materials 2015, 8(3), 932-958; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8030932 - 05 Mar 2015
Cited by 359 | Viewed by 26016
Abstract
The goal of the current publication is to provide a comprehensive literature review on the topic of dental implant materials. The following paper focuses on conventional titanium implants and more recently introduced and increasingly popular zirconia implants. Major subtopics include the material science [...] Read more.
The goal of the current publication is to provide a comprehensive literature review on the topic of dental implant materials. The following paper focuses on conventional titanium implants and more recently introduced and increasingly popular zirconia implants. Major subtopics include the material science and the clinical considerations involving both implant materials and the influence of their physical properties on the treatment outcome. Titanium remains the gold standard for the fabrication of oral implants, even though sensitivity does occur, though its clinical relevance is not yet clear. Zirconia implants may prove to be promising in the future; however, further in vitro and well-designed in vivo clinical studies are needed before such a recommendation can be made. Special considerations and technical experience are needed when dealing with zirconia implants to minimize the incidence of mechanical failure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioceramics)
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3025 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Low-Symmetry Structures from Phase Equilibrium of Fe-Al System—Microstructures and Mechanical Properties
by Piotr Matysik, Stanisław Jóźwiak and Tomasz Czujko
Materials 2015, 8(3), 914-931; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8030914 - 04 Mar 2015
Cited by 74 | Viewed by 11418
Abstract
Fe-Al intermetallic alloys with aluminum content over 60 at% are in the area of the phase equilibrium diagram that is considerably less investigated in comparison to the high-symmetry Fe3Al and FeAl phases. Ambiguous crystallographic information and incoherent data referring to the [...] Read more.
Fe-Al intermetallic alloys with aluminum content over 60 at% are in the area of the phase equilibrium diagram that is considerably less investigated in comparison to the high-symmetry Fe3Al and FeAl phases. Ambiguous crystallographic information and incoherent data referring to the phase equilibrium diagrams placed in a high-aluminum range have caused confusions and misinformation. Nowadays unequivocal material properties description of FeAl2, Fe2Al5 and FeAl3 intermetallic alloys is still incomplete. In this paper, the influence of aluminum content and processing parameters on phase composition is presented. The occurrence of low-symmetry FeAl2, Fe2Al5 and FeAl3 structures determined by chemical composition and phase transformations was defined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) examinations. These results served to verify diffraction investigations (XRD) and to explain the mechanical properties of cast materials such as: hardness, Young’s modulus and fracture toughness evaluated using the nano-indentation technique. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intermetallic Alloys: Fabrication, Properties and Applications)
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2104 KiB  
Article
Composite Behavior of a Novel Insulated Concrete Sandwich Wall Panel Reinforced with GFRP Shear Grids: Effects of Insulation Types
by JunHee Kim and Young-Chan You
Materials 2015, 8(3), 899-913; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8030899 - 03 Mar 2015
Cited by 69 | Viewed by 17858
Abstract
A full-scale experimental program was used in this study to investigate the structural behavior of novel insulated concrete sandwich wall panels (SWPs) reinforced with grid-type glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) shear connectors. Two kinds of insulation-expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) with 100 mm [...] Read more.
A full-scale experimental program was used in this study to investigate the structural behavior of novel insulated concrete sandwich wall panels (SWPs) reinforced with grid-type glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) shear connectors. Two kinds of insulation-expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) with 100 mm thickness were incased between the two concrete wythes to meet the increasing demand for the insulation performance of building envelope. One to four GFRP shear grids were used to examine the degree of composite action of the two concrete wythes. Ten specimens of SWPs were tested under displacement control subjected to four-point concentrated loads. The test results showed that the SWPs reinforced with GFRP grids as shear connectors developed a high degree of composite action resulting in high flexural strength. The specimens with EPS foam exhibited an enhanced load-displacement behavior compared with the specimens with XPS because of the relatively stronger bond between insulation and concrete. In addition, the ultimate strength of the test results was compared to the analytical prediction with the mechanical properties of only GRFP grids. The specimens with EPS insulation presented higher strength-based composite action than the ones with XPS insulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Advanced Composites)
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724 KiB  
Article
Effects of Carbon Black and the Presence of Static Mechanical Strain on the Swelling of Elastomers in Solvent
by Shiau Ying Ch'ng, Andri Andriyana, Yun Lu Tee and Erwan Verron
Materials 2015, 8(3), 884-898; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8030884 - 02 Mar 2015
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5447
Abstract
The effect of carbon black on the mechanical properties of elastomers is of great interest, because the filler is one of principal ingredients for the manufacturing of rubber products. While fillers can be used to enhance the properties of elastomers, including stress-free swelling [...] Read more.
The effect of carbon black on the mechanical properties of elastomers is of great interest, because the filler is one of principal ingredients for the manufacturing of rubber products. While fillers can be used to enhance the properties of elastomers, including stress-free swelling resistance in solvent, it is widely known that the introduction of fillers yields significant inelastic responses of elastomers under cyclic mechanical loading, such as stress-softening, hysteresis and permanent set. When a filled elastomer is under mechanical deformation, the filler acts as a strain amplifier in the rubber matrix. Since the matrix local strain has a profound effect on the material’s ability to absorb solvent, the study of the effect of carbon black content on the swelling characteristics of elastomeric components exposed to solvent in the presence of mechanical deformation is a prerequisite for durability analysis. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of carbon black content on the swelling of elastomers in solvent in the presence of static mechanical strains: simple extension and simple torsion. Three different types of elastomers are considered: unfilled, filled with 33 phr (parts per hundred) and 66 phr of carbon black. The peculiar role of carbon black on the swelling characteristics of elastomers in solvent in the presence of mechanical strain is explored. Full article
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1889 KiB  
Article
Improved Osteoblast and Chondrocyte Adhesion and Viability by Surface-Modified Ti6Al4V Alloy with Anodized TiO2 Nanotubes Using a Super-Oxidative Solution
by Ernesto Beltrán-Partida, Aldo Moreno-Ulloa, Benjamín Valdez-Salas, Cristina Velasquillo, Monica Carrillo, Alan Escamilla, Ernesto Valdez and Francisco Villarreal
Materials 2015, 8(3), 867-883; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8030867 - 02 Mar 2015
Cited by 41 | Viewed by 8012
Abstract
Titanium (Ti) and its alloys are amongst the most commonly-used biomaterials in orthopedic and dental applications. The Ti-aluminum-vanadium alloy (Ti6Al4V) is widely used as a biomaterial for these applications by virtue of its favorable properties, such as high tensile strength, good biocompatibility and [...] Read more.
Titanium (Ti) and its alloys are amongst the most commonly-used biomaterials in orthopedic and dental applications. The Ti-aluminum-vanadium alloy (Ti6Al4V) is widely used as a biomaterial for these applications by virtue of its favorable properties, such as high tensile strength, good biocompatibility and excellent corrosion resistance. TiO2 nanotube (NTs) layers formed by anodization on Ti6Al4V alloy have been shown to improve osteoblast adhesion and function when compared to non-anodized material. In his study, NTs were grown on a Ti6Al4V alloy by anodic oxidation for 5 min using a super-oxidative aqueous solution, and their in vitro biocompatibility was investigated in pig periosteal osteoblasts and cartilage chondrocytes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersion X-ray analysis (EDX) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize the materials. Cell morphology was analyzed by SEM and AFM. Cell viability was examined by fluorescence microscopy. Cell adhesion was evaluated by nuclei staining and cell number quantification by fluorescence microscopy. The average diameter of the NTs was 80 nm. The results demonstrate improved cell adhesion and viability at Day 1 and Day 3 of cell growth on the nanostructured material as compared to the non-anodized alloy. In conclusion, this study evidences the suitability of NTs grown on Ti6Al4V alloy using a super-oxidative water and a short anodization process to enhance the adhesion and viability of osteoblasts and chondrocytes. The results warrant further investigation for its use as medical implant materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biomaterials)
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