Papers by Keyword: Silanol Group

Abstract: We present numerical studies of possible modifications of SiOH groups in “wet” SiO2 glass with 193 nm laser irradiation. We focus on structural changes associated with two conformations: (i) two nearby hydrogen bonded SiOH groups, and (ii) oxygen triclusters, i.e. bridging oxygen forming a third covalent bond with a hydrogen atom. The energies of these two systems and the activation barrier of thermal relaxation between them identify the latter conformation as a candidate for a product formed under 193 nm laser exposure, when we consider the former conformation as an initial state. We investigate the effects of local volume changes associated with the changes in conformation and find it has non-negligible effect on the index of refraction. These conformational changes thus appear able to contribute to the permanent changes in index of refraction and absorption of the glass after UV irradiation.

Abstract: Non-woven silica fabric was made by electro-spinning method for the potential application as a bone grafting material. The silica gel, the source material for electro-spinning, was prepared by the hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate in the presence of calcium salt, water, hydrochloric acid and ethanol. It was transferred to a syringe, which was connected to the high voltage supply generating a high electric field between the spinneret and the ground collecting drum. The silica fibers containing calcium were spun under the electric field of 2 KV/cm. Their diameters were in the range from about 0.3 μm to 8 μm. It was heat-treated at 300 oC for 3 hours. After soaking in the SBF for 1 week, low crystalline apatite crystals were observed to occur on their surfaces. From the results, it can be concluded that the non-woven silica fabric containing calcium made by electro-spinning method and then heat-treated has a bioactivity. It means it has a potential to be used as a bone grafting material because of its apatite-forming ability, high surface area to volume ratio and high porosity.

Abstract: Bioactive polymeric microspheres can be produced by pre-coating them with a calcium silicate solution and the subsequent soaking in a simulated body fluid (SBF). Such combination should allow for the development of bioactive microspheres for several applications in the medical field including tissue engineering. In this work, three types of polymeric microspheres with different sizes were used: (i) ethylene-vinyl alcohol co-polymer (20-30 'm), (ii) polyamide 12 (10-30 'm) and (iii) polyamide 12 (300 'm). These microspheres were soaked in a calcium silicate solution at 36.5°C for different periods of time under several conditions. Afterwards, they were dried in air at 100°C for 24 hrs. Then, the samples were soaked in SBF for 1, 3 and 7 days. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, thin-film X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy showed that after the calcium silicate treatment and the subsequent soaking in SBF, the microspheres successfully formed a bonelike apatite layer on their surfaces in SBF within 7 days due to the formation of silanol (Si-OH) groups that are quite effective for apatite formation.

Abstract: Organic polymer coated with hydroxyapatite (so-called apatite) on its surface is a candidate of new hybrid materials for medical applications since it is expected to show bone-bonding ability and achieve mechanical properties derived from organic substrate. We have shown that some kinds of polyamide films containing carboxyl group or sulfonic group form hydroxyapatite in the simulated body environment, when they are incorporated with calcium chloride. In the present study, the polyamide containing carboxyl groups were modified with silanol groups and its apatite-forming ability was investigated in 1.5SBF, which has ion concentrations 1.5 times those of a simulated body fluid (SBF). It was found that polyamide films modified with silanol groups showed higher ability to induce apatite on its surface in 1.5SBF than the films without the modification, when they were incorporated with calcium chloride.