title: Corrosion behavior of zirconia in acidulated phosphate fluoride.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The corrosion behavior of zirconia in acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) representing acidic environments and fluoride treatments was studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Zirconia rods were immersed in 1.23% and 0.123% APF solutions and maintained at 37°C for determined periods of time. Surfaces of all specimens were imaged using digital microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Sample mass and dimensions were measured for mass loss determination. Samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) to detect changes in crystallinity. A biosensor based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to detect ion dissolution of material into the immersion media.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Digital microscopy revealed diminishing luster of the materials and SEM showed increased superficial corrosion of zirconia submerged in 1.23% APF. Although no structural change was found, the absorption of salts (sodium phosphate) onto the surface of the materials bathed in 0.123% APF was significant. EIS indicated a greater change of impedance for the immersion solutions with increasing bathing time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immersion of zirconia in APF solutions showed deterioration limited to the surface, not extending to the bulk of the material. Inferences on zirconia performance in acidic oral environment can be elucidated from the study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, USA.
authors.forename: Anie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, USA.
authors.forename: Sathyanarayanan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sridhar
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, USA.
authors.forename: Shant
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aghyarian
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, USA.
authors.forename: Pilanda
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Watkins-Curry
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, USA.
authors.forename: Julia Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Surgery-Implant Dentistry, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pozzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, USA.
authors.forename: Danieli C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
mesh_terms: D000149:Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride / Q000737:chemistry*; D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry; D003343:Corrosion; D015921:Dental Implants; D058266:Dielectric Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods; D007101:Immersion; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013499:Surface Properties / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction / Q000379:methods; D015040:Zirconium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants; D000149:Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride; D015040:Zirconium; C028541:zirconium oxide