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S Debnath

Publications and source records attributed to S Debnath.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Interface effects on mechanical properties of particle-reinforced composites.

OBJECTIVES: Effective bonding between the filler and matrix components typically improves the mechanical properties of polymer composites containing inorganic fillers. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that composite flexural modulus, flexure strength, and toughness are directly proportional to filler-matrix interfacial shear strength. METHODS: The resin matrix component of the experimental composite consisted of a 60:40 blend of BisGMA:TEGDMA. Two levels of photoinitiator components were used: 0.15, and 0.5%. Raman spectroscopy was used to determine degree of cure, and thermogravimetry (TGA) was used to quantify the degree of silane, rubber, or polymer attachment to silica and glass particles. Filler-matrix interfacial shear strengths were measured using a microbond test. Composites containing glass particles with various surface treatments were prepared and the modulus, flexure strength, and fracture toughness of these materials obtained using standard methods. Mechanical properties were measured on dry and soaked specimens. RESULTS: The interfacial strength was greatest for the 5% MPS treated silica, and it increased for polymers prepared with 0.5% initiator compared with 0.15% initiator concentrations. For the mechanical properties measured, the authors found that: (1) the flexural modulus was independent of the type of filler surface treatment, though flexural strength and toughness were highest for the silanated glass; (2) rubber at the interface, whether bonded to the filler and matrix or not, did not improve toughness; (3) less grafting of resin to silanated filler particles was observed when the initiator concentration decreased. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings suggest that increasing the strength of the bond between filler and matrix will not result in improvements in the mechanical properties of particulate-reinforced composites in contrast to fiber-reinforced composites. Also, contraction stresses in the 0.5 vs 0.15% initiator concentration composites may be responsible for increases in interfacial shear strengths, moduli, and flexural strengths.

Composite Resins↗

Filler-coupling agent-matrix interactions in silica/polymethylmethacrylate composites.

The interactions of the silane coupling agent methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS) with both fumed silica and a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) resin matrix were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. OX 50 fumed silica was silanated with MPS at concentrations of 1% and 5% in aqueous ethanol (95%), acetone, and anhydrous toluene. Methyl methacrylate was polymerized with the silanated fumed silica (5% wt/wt) to form composites. The amount of MPS adsorption on the fumed silica and the amount of PMMA attached to the silanated fumed silica were determined by thermogravimetric analysis. MPS could be removed from the fumed silica after washing with methanol, but not after it underwent a drying process at 25 degrees C under vacuum. After vacuum drying at 25 degrees C, two types of adsorbed silane were found, i.e., firmly adsorbed and loosely adsorbed silane. The loosely adsorbed silane could desorb from silica and be incorporated into the polymer matrix through copolymerization with monomeric methyl methacrylate, resulting in crosslinking of the matrix. When the silanated silica was dried at 110 degrees C for 2 h, the loosely adsorbed silane was removed and the amount of firmly adsorbed silane increased. There was a positive correlation between the amount of firmly adsorbed MPS and the amount of PMMA attachment. The highest efficiency for PMMA attachment was found when MPS was adsorbed as a monolayer, because the loosely adsorbed silane did not contribute to the bonding of PMMA, and this suggested that not all of the double bonds of the MPS were accessible for reaction with the methacrylate monomer. Drying at 110 degrees C may also decrease the number of unsaturated double bonds of MPS.

Absorption↗

Antimicrobial activity of new coumarin derivatives.

A preliminary exploration of coumarin analogs as novel antimicrobial agents was carried out to determine the basic features of the structure responsible for the observed biological activity. The substituents ester or carboxylic acid on the coumarin ring were needed to have potent inhibitory activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The presence of phenolic hydroxyl group and/or carboxylic acid was necessary to possess higher activity against Helicobacter pylori.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Stimulation of pregnenolone metabolism and aromatase activity by luteinizing hormone in mouse uterus.

In vitro metabolism of pregnenolone (P5) as well as production of 17beta-estradiol (E2) were studied in uteri of untreated and luteinizing hormone (LH)-treated mice that had been ovariectomized (OVX) at late-diestrus stage. In the uteri of untreated mice, [H]pregnenolone was shown to be metabolized to Delta-components such as 17alpha-hydroxypregnenolone (17alpha-P5) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), whereas LH treatment resulted in significant increases in the formation of progesterone (P4), 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17alpha-P4), androstenedione (AD) and testosterone (T). This was assessed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The content and release of P4 was shown to be stimulated by LH. Trilostane, an inhibitor of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD), inhibited LH-induced P4 synthesis and its release in a dose-dependent manner. A considerable increase in [H]estradiol formation from [H]testosterone was recorded in LH-stimulated uterine tissue as compared with the control, indicating the stimulatory effect of LH on aromatase activity. LH-stimulation in the synthesis of P4 and E2 in OVX mouse uteri was mimicked by dbcAMP (cell-permeable cAMP). Incubation with LH was shown to augment the conversion of P4 to various delta-3-oxosteroids. In vitro effects of LH on the synthesis and metabolism of P4, as well as on the stimulation of aromatase activity, were more pronounced in the uterine tissue of LH-primed OVX mice. Thus the results of the present study indicate that, under specific conditions, the uterus of the mouse behaves like steroidogenic tissue. Its prompt response to LH reveals the probable physiological relevance of the existence of LH receptors of high binding affinity in the uterine tissue of the mouse, as reported earlier.

Androstenedione↗