Publications by authors named "Ireneusz Piwonski"

The literature analysis did not indicate any studies on fluorination tests of carbon nanocomposite coatings doped with transition metals in a form of nanocrystalline metal carbide in amorphous carbon matrix (nc-MeC/a-C). As a model coating to investigate the effect of fluorination in a tetrafluoromethane (CF) atmosphere, a nanocomposite carbon coating doped with chromium-forming nanocrystals of chromium carbides in a-C matrix (nc-CrC/a-C) produced by magnetron sputtering from graphite targets and using a Pulse-DC type medium frequency power supply was chosen. After the deposition of the gradient chromium carbonitride (CrCN) adhesive sublayer, the fluorination of the main coating was conducted in a reactive mode in an (Ar + CF) atmosphere at various CF content.

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This study aims to improve the photocatalytic properties of titanium dioxide nanorods (TNRs) and other related nanostructures (dense nanorods, needle-like nanorods, nanoballs, and nanoflowers) by modifying them with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). This preparation is carried out using a two-step method: sol-gel dip-coating deposition combined with hydrothermal crystal growth. Further modification with AgNPs was achieved through the photoreduction of Ag ions under UV illumination.

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This study aimed to assess the ability of modern resin-based "bioactive" materials (RBMs) to induce dentine remineralisation via mineral deposition and compare the results to those obtained with calcium silicate cements (CSMs). The following materials were employed for restoration of dentine cavities: CSMs: ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Sirona), MTA Angelus (Angelus), Biodentine (Septodont), and TheraCal LC (Bisco); RBMs: ACTIVA BioACTIVE Base/Liner (Pulpdent), ACTIVA Presto (Pulpdent), and Predicta Bioactive Bulk (Parkell). The evaluation of the mineral deposition was performed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) on the material and dentine surfaces, as well as at the dentine-material interface after immersion in simulated body fluid.

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The increasing demand for orthodontic treatments due to the high prevalence of malocclusion has inspired clinicians and material scientists to investigate innovative, more effective, and precise bonding methods with reduced chairside time. This study aimed at comparing the shear bond strength (SBS) of metal and ceramic brackets bonded to enamel using the indirect bonding technique (IDB). Victory Series metal brackets (Metal-OPC, Metal-APC) and Clarity™ Advanced ceramic brackets (Ceramic-OPC) (3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA) were bonded indirectly to extracted human premolars through the etch-and-rinse technique.

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Photo-induced enhanced Raman spectroscopy (PIERS) is an innovative technology that offers additional enhancement in Raman signal compared to surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). In this study, we fabricated nanohybrids consisting of silver nanoparticles on an ultra-thin anatase film using a photoreduction method. This approach allowed for the controllable synthesis of SERS and PIERS nanoplatforms, characterized by oval-shaped nanoparticles, yet varying in size and surface coverage, leading to distinct plasmonic properties.

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Plastic nanoparticles are widely spread in the biosphere, but health risk associated with their effect on the human organism has not yet been assessed. The purpose of this study was to determine the genotoxic potential of non-functionalized polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) of different diameters of 29, 44, and 72 nm in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (). To select non-cytotoxic concentrations of tested PS-NPs, we analyzed metabolic activity of PBMCs incubated with these particles in concentrations ranging from 0.

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In case of thin films of siloxane obtained from different organo-silane derivatives (alkoxy and chloro) on soda lime silica glass substrates, IR-ATR and IR-SR could not detect the organic functional groups of the coating. This becomes even more problematic for the case of tetraethoxysilane (when fully hydrolyzed), the coating of which possesses the same functional groups as the glass substrate. In this work we propose to employ the so-called ratio-reflectance spectra in the v(Si-O) wavenumber region, where both glass and the siloxane coating give most prominent bands, important for the evaluation of the quality of coating formation and qualitative knowledge on its structure.

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Microscopy is a traditional method to perform ex vivo/in vitro dental research. Contemporary microscopic techniques offer the opportunity to observe dental tissues and materials up to nanoscale level. The aim of this paper was to perform a literature review on four microscopic methods, which are widely employed in dental studies concerning the evaluation of resin-dental adhesive interfaces-confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM).

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Recently, nanomaterials synthesized ecologically using microorganisms have attracted much interest. In the present study, the ability of Gloeophyllum striatum to synthesize silver nanoparticles is described for the first time. Nanoparticles were formed in an eco-friendly extracellular manner and characterized by UV-Vis, FT-IR, MADLS and SEM techniques.

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This work is focused on photocatalytic properties of titanium dioxide thin coatings modified with silver nanostructures (AgNSs) and graphene oxide (GO) sheets which were analyzed in processes of chemical transformations of rhodamine B (RhB) under ultraviolet (UV) or visible light (Vis) irradiation, respectively. UV-Vis spectroscopy was applied to analyze the changes in the RhB spectrum during photocatalytic processes, revealing decolorization of RhB solution under UV irradiation while the same process coexisting with the transformation of RhB to rhodamine 110 was observed under Vis irradiation. The novelty of this study is the elaboration of a methodology for determining the parameters characterizing the processes occurring under the Vis irradiation, which enables the comparison of photocatalysts' activity.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the uptake and accumulation of fullerenol C(OH) into peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Some additional studies were also performed: measurement of fullerenol nanoparticle size, zeta potential, and the influence of fullerenol on the ionizing radiation-induced damage to PMBCs. Fullerenol C(OH) demonstrated an ability to accumulate in PBMCs.

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Graphene oxide () has recently captured tremendous attention, but only few functionalized graphene derivatives were used as fillers, and insightful studies dealing with the thermal, mechanical, and biological effects of graphene surface functionalization are currently missing in the literature. Herein, reduced graphene oxide (), phosphorylated graphene oxide (), and trimethylsilylated graphene oxide () were prepared by the post-modification of . The electrostatic interactions of these fillers with chitosan afforded colloidal solutions that provide, after water evaporation, transparent and flexible chitosan-modified graphene films.

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infections are common and difficult to treat. The increasing number of drug-resistant staphylococcal infections has created the need to develop new strategies for the treatment of these infections. The synergistic antimicrobial activity of different pharmaceuticals seems to be an interesting alternative.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the impact of different titanium content in diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings on silicon substrates, modified by self-assembled monolayers of decylphosphonic acid (DP) and perfluorodecylphosphonic acid (PFDP).
  • The presence of these monolayers was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and their modification significantly improved the coatings' wettability, friction properties, and antimicrobial activity.
  • Results indicated that the dispersive component of surface free energy (SFE) played a crucial role in reducing bacterial growth by up to 95% and lowering the friction coefficient under various loading conditions.
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Contemporary self-etch and multi-mode adhesives were introduced to ensure a fast and reliable bonding procedure. Yet, in terms of bond strength and stability they failed to perform as well as two-bottle, etch-and-rinse adhesives, which remain the gold standard in terms of durability. The purpose of this study was to assess the shear bond strength (SBS) of dental adhesives to dentin with different application protocols.

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