• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.569-578
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• 2011

The $SiO_2$ membranes for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) are preapared by electrospinning method. It leads to high porosity and surface area of membrane to accommodate the proton conducting materials. The composite membrane was prepared by impregnating of Nafion ionomer into the pores of electrospun $SiO_2$ membranes. The $SiO_2$:heteropolyacid (HPA) nano-particles as a inorganic proton conductor were prepared by microemulsion process and the particles are added to the Nafion ionomer. The characterization of the membranes was confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), and single cell performance test for PEMFC. The Nafion impregnated electrospun $SiO_2$ membrane showed good thermal stability, satisfactory mechanical properties and high proton conductivity. The addition of the $SiO_2$:HPA nano-particle improved proton conductivity of the composite membrane, which allow further extension for operation temperature in low humidity environments. The composite membrane exhibited a promising properties for the application in high temperature PEMFC.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.200-206
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• 2014

PURPOSE. This in vitro study investigated the fracture resistance of endodontically treated premolars restored using silorane-or methacrylate-based composite along with or without fiber or nano-ionomer base. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Ninety-six intact maxillary premolars were randomly divided into eight groups (n = 12). G1 (negative control) was the intact teeth. In Groups 2-8, root canal treatment with mesio-occlusodistal preparation was performed. G2 (positive control) was kept unrestored. The other groups were restored using composite resin as follows: G3, methacrylate-based composite (Z250); G4, methacrylate composite (Z250) with polyethylene fiber; G5 and G6, silorane-based composite (Filtek P90) without and with the fiber, respectively; G7 and G8, methacrylate-and silorane-based composite with nano-ionomer base, respectively. After aging period and thermocycling for 1000 cycles, fracture strength was tested and fracture patterns were inspected. The results were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests (${\alpha}$=0.05). RESULTS. Mean fracture resistance for the eight groups (in Newton) were G1: $1200{\pm}169^a$, G2: $360{\pm}93^b$, G3: $632{\pm}196^c$, G4: $692{\pm}195^c$, G5: $917{\pm}159^d$, G6: $1013{\pm}125^{ad}$, G7: $959{\pm}148^d$, G8: $947{\pm}105^d$ (different superscript letters revealed significant difference among groups). Most of the fractures in all the groups were restorable, except Group 3. CONCLUSION. Silorane-based composite revealed significantly higher strength of the restored premolars compared to that of methacrylate one. Fiber insertion demonstrated no additional effect on the strength of both composite restorations; however, it increased the prevalence of restorable fracture of methacrylate-based composite restored teeth. Using nano-ionomer base under methacrylate-based composite had a positive effect on fracture resistance and pattern. Only fiber-reinforced silorane composite restoration resulted in a strength similar to that of the intact teeth.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.159-167
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in demineralization resistance and bonding strength of light cured glass ionomer after the addition of nano hydroxyapatite in various ratios. Fuji II LC GIC (GC Co., Japan) was used as the control group and also as a base material for experimental group. HA was mixed into the RMGIC at various ratio to create a HA-LC GIC mixture, preparing six experimental groups, i.e. 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30% HA-LC GIC. According to the results, the bonding strength increased due to the addition of HA, showing the maximum value at the 15% nano HA group (p < 0.05). Under CLSM observation after 4 days of demineralization, the HA groups were more resistant to demineralization compared to the control group. No significant difference was observed between HA groups. In analysis through SEM, the HA groups showed attachment of granular materials and decreased demineralized tooth surfaces under influence of HA particles.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.580-586
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• 2002

We investigated the effect of ionic component on crystalline morphology development during isothermal annealing in a sodium neutralized sulfonated poly(ethylene terephthalate) ionomer (Ion-PET) by time-resolved small-angle x-ray scattering (TR-SAX S) using synchrotron radiation. At early stage in Ion-PET, SAXS intensity at a low annealing temperature (Ta = 120 $^{\circ}C)$ decreased monotonously with scattering angle for a while. Then SAXS profile showed a peak and the peak position progressively moved to wider angles with isothermal annealing time. Finally, the peak intensity decreased, shifting the peak angle to wider angle. It is revealed that ionic aggregates (multiplets structure) of several nm, calculated by Debye-Bueche plot, are formed at early stage. They seem to accelerate the crystallization rate and make fine crystallites without spherulite formation (supported by optical microscopy observation). From decrease of peak intensity in SAXS,it is suggested that new lamellae are inserted between the preformed lamellae so that the concentration of ionic multiplets in amorphous region decreases to lower the electron density difference between lamellar crystal and amorphous region. In addition, analysis on the annealing at a high temperature (Ta = 210 $^{\circ}C)$ by optical microscopy, light scattering and transmission electron microscopy shows a formation of spherulite, no ionic aggregates, the retarded crystallization rate and a high level of lamellar orientation.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.226-232
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of adding a protective coating on the microhardness and wear resistance of glass ionomer cements (GICs). Specimens were prepared from GIC and resin-modified GIC (RMGI), and divided into 3 groups based on surface protection: (1) no coating (NC), (2) Equia coat coating (EC), and (3) un-filled adhesive coating (AD). All specimens were then placed in distilled water for 24 h. Surface hardness (n = 10) was evaluated on a Vickers hardness testing machine. Wear resistance (n = 10) was evaluated after subjecting the specimen to thermocycling for 10,000 cycles using a chewing simulator. Data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Surface hardness was highest in the NC groups, followed by the EC and AD groups. The wear depth of GI + NC was significantly higher than that of all RMGI groups. EC did not significantly lower the wear depth compared to AD. Based on these results, it was concluded that although EC does not increase the surface microhardness of GIC, it can increase the wear resistance.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.24-34
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of incorporated nano HA on the demineralization resistance and bonding strength of LC GIC in comparison with micro HA. Fuji II LC GIC was used as the control group and a base material for experimental groups. Two experimental groups were prepared. One was prepared by adding 15% micro HA to LC GIC by weight ratio (Exp. 1), and the other was prepared by adding 15% nano HA instead (Exp. 2). According to the results, the following conclusions could be obtained. 1. Observing under the CLSM, the control group showed thicker enamel demineralization layer than in the experimental groups, and the Exp. 2 group showed the thinnest demineralization layer. 2. In SEM analysis, there was greater enamel demineralization in the control group. The Exp. 2 group was more resistant to demineralization compared to the Exp. 1 group. 3. The bonding strength was found to be in the increasing order of control, Exp. 1, and Exp. 2 group (p < 0.05). 4. Observing the fractured surfaces under SEM after the bonding strength test was performed, there were bone-like apatite particles formed in HA-added experimental groups, and a greater number of bone-like apatite particles were formed in the Exp. 2 group compared to the Exp. 1 group.