Aging Effect of Atmospheric Air on Zirconia Surfaces Treated by Nonthermal Plasma

Author(s)

dos Santos, Daniela Micheline ^[1] ; Vechiato-Filho, Aljomar Jose ^[1] ; Freitas da Silva, Emily Vivianne ^[1] ; Goiato, Marcelo Coelho ^[1] ; Cesar, Paulo Francisco ^[2] ; Rangel, Elidiane Cipriano ^[3] ; da Cruz, Nilson Cristino ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] State Univ Sao Paulo UNESP, Dept Dent Mat & Prosthodont, Aracatuba Dent Sch, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Dent, Dept Biomat & Oral Biol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] State Univ Sao Paulo UNESP, Engn Coll, Lab Technol Plasmas LaPTec, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Adhesive Dentistry; v. 17, n. 5, p. 413-419, 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) to characterize the zirconia (Y-TZP) surfaces through scanning electronic microscopy associated with energy-dispersive spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy after the deposition of a thin organosilicon film by nonthermal plasma (NTP) treatment, and 2) to determine the zirconia surface hydrophilicity, before and after aging, through surface energy analysis. Materials and Methods: Surfaces of 16 zirconia disks (10 x 3 mm) were treated for 30 min each with hexamethyldisiloxane and argon plasmas, followed by oxygen plasma. Disks were analyzed before NTP treatment, immediately after NTP treatment, and after aging for 7, 15, and 30 days. The surface energy of the Y-TZP disks was measured with a goniometer. Quantitative data were submitted to statistical analysis using ANOVA and Tukey's test (p < 0.05). Results: Immediately after NTP treatment, the surface energy of the zirconia disks was significantly higher than at any other tested period (p < 0.001), and the water contact angle on the zirconia disks was reduced to 0 degrees. Similar surface energy results were obtained before NTP treatment and after 15 or 30 days of aging (p > 0.05; Tukey's test). Energy-dispersive spectroscopy results revealed the presence of carbon, oxygen, and silicon on the surface after NTP treatment. Conclusion: NTP treatment was useful for treating the zirconia surface for cementation procedures, as it produced a high level of hydrophilicity on the zirconia surface. However, this high level of hydrophilicity did not persist after aging. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/11602-4 - Surface characterization and microtensile bond strength of zirconia to resin cements after non-thermal plasma treatment and/or metallic primer
• Grantee: Aljomar José Vechiato Filho
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate