The formation and properties of metal oxide poly(vinylphosphonic acid) cements

Aqueous solutions of poly(vinylphosphonic acid) have been found to form polyelectrolyte cements with a wide range of metal oxides. Poly(vinylphosphonic acid), PVPA, has a structure similar to that of poly(acrylic acid), PAA, but contains pendant phosphonic acid,--P(O)(OH)2, groups in place of the carboxylic acid,--COOH, groups of the zinc polycarboxylate, and glass polyalkenoate cements. It is a stronger acid than PAA, with a greatly increased reactivity toward metal oxides. The physical and mechanical properties of a number of metal oxide PVPA cements were studied and compared with those of zinc polycarboxylate cements. The faster acting of the metal oxide PVPA cement seems to produce a cement that is less susceptible to early hydrolysis.