From environmental issue to purification aid: Novel positively charged functionalized algal biochar as robust modifier of composite nanofiltration membranes.

Robust membrane modifiers were achieved for the first time by functionalizing the algal biochar of unique porous structure. The biochar was prepared through the pyrolysis of Cladophora glomerata, the most widespread freshwater macroalga, functionalized by diethylenetriamine and dendrimer poly(amidoamine), and employed to fabricate positively charged composite nanofiltration membranes. The presence of hydrophilic functionalizers of positive charge on the membrane was verified through Fourier transform infrared and energy dispersive X-ray analyses and atomic force microscopy and zeta potential measurements were performed to determine surface roughness and confirm positive charge of the modified membranes. Dispersion of modifiers on the surface and morphology of the were also revealed through field-emission scanning electron microscopy images. It has shown that, compared to the pristine membrane, pure water fluxes were increased by 214% and 185%, and water contact angles were reduced from 66.1° to 39.5° and 43.3° in those modified by biochar functionalized with dendrimer poly(amidoamine) and diethylenetriamine, respectively. More than 90% dye rejections and salt and heavy metals removals were recorded for the membranes possessed 0.6 wt% of modifiers. Finally, a comparative study conducted between the novel modifier introduced in this study and those reported in the literature, indicated that C. glomerata biochar decorated with amine functional groups could be considered as a robust and practical alternative to the common modifiers used to manipulate nanocomposite membranes characteristics.

The effect of resin cement type and cleaning method on the shear bond strength of resin cements for recementing restorations.

PURPOSE: This laboratory study assessed the effect of different dentin cleaning procedures on shear bond strength of resin cements for recementing prosthesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 4 × 4 flat surface was prepared on the labial surface of 52 maxillary central incisors. Metal frames (4 × 4 × 1.5 mm) were cast with nickel-chromium alloy. All specimens were randomly divided into 2 groups to be cemented with either Panavia F2.0 (P) or RelyX Ultimate (U) cement. The initial shear bond strength was recorded by Universal Testing Machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Debonded specimens were randomly allocated into 2 subgroups (n = 13) according to the dentin cleaning procedures for recementation. The residual cement on bonded dentin surfaces was eliminated with either pumice slurry (p) or tungsten carbide bur (c). The restorations were rebonded with the same cement and were subjected to shear test. Data failed the normality test (P < .05), thus were analyzed with Mann Whitney U-test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and two-way ANOVA after logarithmic transformation (α = .05). RESULTS: The initial shear bond strength of group P was significantly higher than group U (P = .001). Pc and Uc groups presented higher bond strength after recementation compared to the initial bond strength. However, it was significant only in Pc group (P = .034). CONCLUSION: The specimens recemented with Panavia F2.0 provided higher bond strength than RelyX Ultimate cement. Moreover, a tungsten carbide bur was a more efficient method in removing the residual resin cement and increased the bond strength of Panavia F2.0 cement after recementation.