Nowadays, the main reasons for replacement of resin-based composite restorations are fracture or problems with the integrity of their interface, such as marginal staining, microleakage, or secondary caries. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of the organic matrix on polymerization stress (PS), degree of conversion (DC), elastic modulus (E), flexural strength (FS), Knoop hardness (KHN), sorption (SP), and solubility (SL). In order to obtain a material which combines better mechanical properties with lower PS, seven experimental composites were prepared using BisGMA to TEGDMA molar ratios of 2:8, 3:7, 4:6, 5:5, 6:4, 7:3 and 8:2 and 40% of silica. PS was obtained in a universal testing machine, using acrylic as bonding substrate. DC was determined using Fourier Transform Raman spectroscopy. E and FS were obtained by the three-point bending test. KHN was measured by a microindentation test using a load of 25 g for 30 s. SP and SL were assessed according to ISO 4049. The data were submitted to one-way ANOVA. The increase in BisGMA concentration resulted in the decrease of PS, DC, E, FS and KHN. However, it did not change the SP and SL values. FS, E and KHN showed a strong and direct relationship with the DC of the materials. The composite material with a BisGMA to TEGDMA molar ratio of 1:1 was the one with better mechanical properties and lower PS.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of different radiant exposures on the degree of conversion (DC), Knoop hardness number (KHN), plasticization (P), water sorption (WS), and solubility (S) of different monomer resin-based composites. METHODS: Circular specimens (5 x 2 mm) were manufactured from methacrylate and silorane composite resins, and light-cured at 19.8, 27.8, 39.6, and 55.6 J/cm2, using second-generation LED at 1,390 mW/cm2. After 24 h, DC was obtained using a FT-Raman spectrometer equipped with a Nd:YAG laser, KHN was measured with 50-g load for 15 s, and P was evaluated on the top and bottom surfaces by the percentage of hardness reduction after 24 h immersed in absolute alcohol. WS and S were determined according to ISO 4049. Data were subjected to statistical analysis (α=0.05). RESULTS: Methacrylate material presented higher DC, KHN, P, and WS than silorane (p<0.05). There was no difference in the S values (p>0.05). The increased radiant exposures improved only the KHN (p<0.05). In general, top surfaces showed higher DC and KHN than bottom, for both materials (p<0.05). The increase of the radiant exposure did not improve most physical properties of the composites and were monomer-base dependent. CONCLUSIONS: Chemical composition of the composite resins resulted in different physical properties behavior and could affect the clinical longevity of dental restorations, but overall these properties were not influenced by the different radiant exposures evaluated in the study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of conversion by Knoop microhardness (KHN) and FT-Raman spectroscopy (FTIR) of one nanofilled (Filtek Supreme-3M-ESPE [FS]) and one microhybrid composite (Charisma-Heraeus-Kulzer [CH]), each with different opacities, namely enamel, dentin, and translucent, which were photo-activated by a quartz-tungsten-halogen lamp (QTH) and a light-emitting diode (LED). Resin was bulk inserted into a disc-shaped mold that was 2.0 mm thick and 4 mm in diameter, obtaining 10 samples per group. KHN and FTIR values were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests (α = 0.05). Nanofilled resin activated by a LED presented higher microhardness values than samples activated by a QTH for dentin opacity (p < 0.05). The microhybrid resin showed no differences in KHN or FTIR values with different activation sources or opacity. The nanofilled dentin and enamel resins showed lower FTIR values than the translucent resin. The KHN values of the translucent resins were not influenced by the light source.

Existe atualmente interesse no uso da muda de pele de cobra como modelos alternativos de biomembranas da pele humana. O presente trabalho apresentou como objetivo a caracterização qualitativa de modelos alternativos de biomembranas provenientes de mudas de pele de cobra da Bothrops jararaca e Spilotis pullatus por espectroscopia Raman (FT-Raman), espectroscopia fotoacústica no infravermelho (PAS-FTIR) e calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC). As técnicas biofísicas FT-Raman, PAS-FTIR e DSC permitiram caracterizar qualitativamente os modelos alternativos de biomembranas provenientes das mudas de pele de cobra da B. jararaca e S. pullatus e identificar freqüências vibracionais e transições endotérmicas similares ao estrato córneo humano.

Recently, there has been an interest in the use of shed snake skin as alternative model biomembrane for human stratum corneum. This research work presented as objective the qualitative characterization of alternative model biomembranes from Bothrops jararaca and Spilotis pullatus by FT-Raman, PAS-FTIR and DSC. The employed biophysical techniques permitted the characterization of the biomembranes from shed snake skin of B. jararaca and S. pullatus by the identification of vibrational frequencies and endothermic transitions that are similar to those of the human stratum corneum.

Com base nas grandes modificações das propriedades de materiais poliméricos resultantes da inclusão de unidades organometálicas, descrevem-se neste trabalho a síntese e a caracterização de um polímero organometálico conjugado com estrutura semelhante à de poli(p-fenilenovinileno) (PPV), o qual apresenta grupos 1,1'-ferrocenileno no lugar de 1,4fenileno em sua cadeia principal. Sintetizado por meio de reação de acoplamento de McMurry de 1,1'-ferrocenodialdeído, o poli(1,1'-ferrocenilenovinileno) (PFV) se apresentou na forma de um sólido de cor laranja, amorfo e insolúvel tanto em solventes polares quanto em apolares. Para caracterização do PFV, empregaram-se os métodos de espectroscopia no infravermelho (FTIR), espectroscopia Raman e análise termogravimétrica (TGA).

Motivated by the influence on the physical and chemical properties of polymeric materials caused by the inclusion of organometallic units, the present work is focused on the synthesis and characterization of an organometallic conjugated polymer with similar structure to poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV), in which the phenylene groups are replaced by ferrocenylene units in the main chain. The polymer, poly(1,1'-ferrocenylenevinylene), (PFV), was prepared via McMurry coupling reaction of 1,1'-ferrocenedialdehyde as an orange and amorphous solid, insoluble both in polar and apolar solvents. The characterization of the polymer was carried out employing the following methods: infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

The reaction of 1,2-dihydroxy-benzene (pyrocatechol) (C6H6O2) with iron oxide (Fe2O3) and sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3) in aqueous medium (pH 7) was investigated. Pyrocatechol suffers autoxidation and coordinates with Fe3+ in solution. The presence of S2O3(2-) in solution was fundamental to generate and stabilize the pyrocatechol oxidation products as o-semiquinones. This compound was isolated and its structure characterized using FT-IR, EPR and UV-Vis Spectroscopy as [CTA][Fe(SQ)2(Cat)]. A thermal mass loss mechanism was proposed based on Thermogravimetric Analysis (TG) to support the structural characterization.

Nafion membranes have been studied using dynamic mechanical analysis in the controlled force mode and clamp of tension film measurements for as received commercial Nafion membranes with different solvent contents and with different cations (Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+ and Cs+). In comparison with as-received Nafion membranes, the initial slope of the stress-strain curves decreases with increasing water contents in the Nafion membrane and also with the addition of methanol, ethanol and ethanol/water (50/50%, v/v) mixture. The initial slope decreases also with increasing temperatures. On the other hand, the initial slope increases when the cation is replaced, in the following order: Li+, Na+, K+, Cs+ and Rb+. Nafion in salt form normally shows an increase in the initial slope from room temperature up to approximately 90ºC, after which the slope decreases with increasing temperatures.

Foi estudada comparativamente a resposta do músculo tríceps sural e reto do abdome de ratos Wistar à implantação da polisulfona (PSU) e do polietileno de ultra alto peso molecular (UHMWPE ) sob a forma de bastões e partículas, por um período de até 52 semanas. Ao final, a PSU foi considerada como tendo a mesma biocompatibilidade do UHMWPE, segundo os critérios utilizados.

A comparative study was performed of the reaction of triceps sural and abdominal retus muscle of Wistar mice to implantation of polysulfone (PSU) and ultra high molecular weight poliethilene (UHMWPE) as particles and rods, for a period up to 52 weeks. At the end, PSU was considered as having the same biocompatibility as UHMWPE, according to the used method.

Os espectros no infravermelho próximo (NIR) dos polímeros amorfos poliestireno (PS), poli(metacrilato de metila) (PMMA) e policarbonato (PC) foram estudados. A tentativa de atribuição das bandas harmônicas e de combinação dos modos vibracionais do PS, PMMA e PC foi realizada baseando-se na teoria de modos locais e pelo uso do método matemático de ajuste de curvas. A correção de anarmonicidade e freqüência mecânica foi determinada em um gráfico de Birge-Sponer. Uma correção de anarmonicidade de 57 e 58 cm-1 foi obtida para os modos de estiramento dos grupos CH2 e CH do PS; 59 e 9 cm-1 para os modos de estiramento dos grupos CH3 e CO do PMMA e 53, 59 e 10 cm-1 para os modos de estiramento dos grupos CH, CH3 e CO do PC, respectivamente.

The near-infrared (NIR) spectra of the amorphous polymers polystyrene (PS), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and polycarbonate (PC) have been studied. The tentative assignment of the overtone and combination frequencies is made using the curve fitting calculations and the local mode theory. Anharmonicity correction and mechanical frequency were determined from a Birge-Sponer plot. A tentative assignment of stretch overtone frequency of CH2 and CH functional groups of PS; CH3 and CO functional groups of PMMA and CH, CH3 and CO functional groups of PC has been made. An anharmonicity correction of 57 and 58 cm-1 was obtained for CH2 and CH stretch modes of PS; 59 and 9 cm-1 for CH3 and CO stretch modes of PMMA and 53, 59 and 10 cm-1 for CH, CH3 and CO stretch modes of PC, respectively.

A cinética de decomposição térmica do poli(sulfeto de fenileno) (PPS) foi estudada através da termogravimetria (TG). Duas amostras comerciais de PPS foram utilizadas neste trabalho: Ryton, da Philips Petroleum, e Fortron, da Hoechst-Celanese. Os parâmetros cinéticos, isto é, a energia de ativação e o fator pré-exponencial de Arrhenius, foram calculados através de três métodos diferentes. Os resultados aqui apresentados concordaram com os dados da literatura. A estimativa do tempo de meia-vida do polímero também foi feita, mostrando que o Fortron é mais estável termicamente que o Ryton.

The kinetics of thermal decomposition of poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) has been studied by means of thermogravimetry (TG). Two commercial samples of PPS have been used in this work: Ryton, from Philips Petroleum, and Fortron, from Hoechst-Celanese. The kinetic parameters, i.e. activation energy and Arrhenius' pre-exponential factor have been calculated by using three different methods. The results reported here agreed with the literature data. The estimation of polymer half-lifetime was also made, showing that Fortron is more thermally stable than Ryton.