Synthesis and Study of Properties of Dental Resin Composites with Different Nanosilica Particles Size

Objectives: The aim of this work was the synthesis of light-cured resin nanocomposites using nanosilica particles with different particle size and the study of some physical-mechanical properties of the composites.

Methods: Various types of silica nanoparticles (Aerosil) with average particle size of 40, 20, 16, 14, and 7 nm, used as filler were silanized with the silane 3-methacryloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane (MPS). The total amount of silane used was kept constant at 10 wt% relative to the filler weight to ensure the complete silanization of nanoparticles. The silanizated silica nanoparticles were identified by FT-IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Then the silanized nanoparticles (55 wt%) were mixed with a photoactivated Bis-GMA/TEGDMA (50/50 wt/wt) matrix. Degree of conversion of composites was determined by FT-IR analysis. The static flexural strength and flexural modulus were measured using a three-point bending set up. The dynamic thermomechanical properties were determined by dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). Sorption, solubility and volumetric change were determined after storage of composites in water or ethanol/water solution 75 vol% for 30 days. The TGA for composites was performed in nitrogen atmosphere from 30 to 700 °C.

Results: As the average silica particle size decreases, the percentage amount of MPS attached on the silica surface increases. However, the number of MPS molecules attached on the silica surface area of 1 nm(2) is independent of filler particle size. As the average filler particles size decreases a progressive increase in the degree of conversion of composites and an increase in the amount of sorbed water is observed.

Significance: The prepared composites containing different amount of silica filler, with different particle size, but with the same amount of silanized silica and organic matrix showed similar flexural strength and flexural modulus, except composite with the lowest filler particle size, which showed lower flexural modulus.