Formation of chemical bonds on zirconia surfaces with acidic functional monomers

We investigated the chemical interaction between zirconia surfaces and functional monomers using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Two types of zirconia disks cleaned with piranha solution were treated with one of two phosphate primers (Alloy Primer, Clearfil Ceramic Primer) or a carboxylic primer (Super-Bond C&B Monomer), and rinsed 3 times with acetone. XPS analysis revealed that phosphorus was incorporated into zirconia when the surface was treated with a primer containing phosphate monomer (10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate; MDP). However, the S 2p peak of a triazine dithiol monomer (6-[N-(4-vinylbenzyl)-n-propylamino]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithione; VTD) and Si 2p peak of silane (3-trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate; TMSPMA) were not detected in the spectra of the primed surface. The [C]/[Zr] ratio for the surface treated with a carboxylic anhydride (4-methacryloyloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride; 4-META) primer was smaller than that treated with MDP. These results demonstrated that 4-META and MDP adsorbed to zirconia, whereas the VTD and TMSPMA did not.