| abstract |
The invention relates to spherical or approximately spherical ionomer particles, comprising an inner area and an outer area which contains silicon ions. The cations of said outer area comprise a) at least one element which can occupy lattice sites of the silicon in silicate compounds, producing a negative excess of charge and b) at least one element which is selected from the elements of the first and second main groups and those that can appear in a divalent form and which can compensate for the negative excess of charge. Suitable methods for producing the inventive particles are all those methods for producing spherical or approximately spherical particles from a suspension, dispersion, emulsion or similar and separating them from the surrounding solvent. Aerosol methods and especially, spray drying of suitable solutions, gels, sols or dispersions/suspensions can also be used. The inventive ionomer particles are especially suitable for use with acid-containing matrices as cements which can be used advantageously in dentistry for example. |