Influence of incorporation of fluoroalkyl methacrylates on roughness and flexural strength of a denture base acrylic resin

Fluorinated denture base acrylic resins can present more stable physical properties when compared with conventional polymers. This study evaluated the incorporation of a fluoroalkyl methacrylate (FMA) mixture in a denture base material and its effect on roughness and flexural strength. A swelling behavior assessment of acrylic resin specimens (n=3, per substance) after 12 h of FMA or methyl methacrylate (MMA) immersion was conducted to determine the solvent properties. Rectangular specimens (n=30) were allocated to three groups, according to the concentration of FMA substituted into the monomer component of a heat-polymerized acrylic resin (Lucitone 550), as follows: 0 percent (control), 10 percent and 20 percent (v/v). Acrylic resin mixed with concentrations of 25 percent or more did not reach the dough stage and was not viable. The surface roughness and flexural strength of the specimens were tested. Variables were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test (a=0.05). Immersion in FMA produced negligible swelling, and MMA produced obvious swelling and dissolution of the specimens. Surface roughness at concentrations of 0 percent, 10 percent and 20 percent were: 0.25 ± 0.04, 0.24 ± 0.04, 0.22 ± 0.03 mm (F=1.78; p=0.189, not significant). Significant differences were found for flexural strength (F=15.92; p<0.001) and modulus of elasticity (F=7.67; p=0.002), with the following results: 96 ± 6, 82 ± 5, 84 ± 6 MPa, and 2,717 ± 79, 2,558 ± 128, 2574 ± 87 MPa, respectively. The solvent properties of FMA against acrylic resin are weak, which would explain why concentrations over 20 percent were not viable. Surface changes were not detected after the incorporation of FMA in the denture base acrylic resin tested. The addition of FMA into denture base resin may lower the flexural strength and modulus of elasticity, regardless of the tested concentration.

Nano-composition of riboflavin-nafion functional film and its application in biosensing.

A novel nafion-riboflavin membrane was constructed and characterized by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-visible spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetric techniques. The estimated average diameter of the designed nanoparticles was about 60 nm. The functional membrane showed a quasi-reversible electrochemical behaviour with a formal potential of -562 +/- 5 mV (vs Ag/AgCl) on the gold electrode. Some electrochemical parameters were estimated, indicating that the system has good and stable electron transfer properties. Moreover, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was immobilized on the riboflavin-nafion functional membrane. The electrochemical behaviour of HRP was quasi-reversible with a formal potential of 80 +/- 5 mV (vs Ag/AgCl). The HRP in the film exhibited good catalytic activity towards the reduction of H2O2. It shows a linear dependence of its cathodic peak current on the concentration of H2O2, ranging from 10 to 300 (micro)M.