Use of Raman spectroscopy in the characterisation of the acid–base reaction in glass-ionomer cements

Raman spectra of various combinations of glass-ionomer cement components have been compared with those of the reactants and the salts of polyacrylic and tartaric acids. The components consisted of a fast-setting acid-degradable dental glass (containing, inter alia, oxides of Si, Al, Ca, Ba and Na), polyacrylic acid (PAA) and/or tartaric acid (TA). On the addition of water to the glass and tartaric acid, Raman spectroscopy indicated loss of acid and production of tartrate salts within seconds of mixing. Mixtures containing the glass, PAA and water in mass ratios 2 : 1 : (0.1–4) reacted to form polyacrylate salts. The maximum fraction of unreacted PAA was found to decrease linearly with initial water/PAA mass ratio to a minimum of approximately 20% when this ratio exceeds 1.5. The data are consistent with 5.6 moles of water being required when each mole of acidic groups is neutralised. In newly prepared cements containing glass, water, polyacrylic and tartaric acids, polyacrylic acid and its salts, in both ionised and solid state form, can be detected. After about 1 h, however, Raman peaks associated with ionised species disappear.