UDM processed superior acrylic resin based ZrO2 nanoparticle reinforced composite for dental application

Abstract

Acrylic based ZrO2 nanoparticle reinforced composite has been studied to improve its properties for biomedical dental application. Practically cluster free ZrO2 nanoparticles have been homogeneously introduced into the acrylic resin (PMMA) at varying amount of 5-15 wt% by ultrasonic dual mixing. The cluster size and distribution of ZrO2 nanoparticles in PMMA matrix have been studied using filed emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis on the PMMA composites containing different amount of nano powder. The EDAX analysis of the PMMA composites confirms the presence of different amount of ZrO2 in the matrix. Viscoelastic properties of the ZrO2-PMMA composite have been studied with the help of dynamic mechanical analyzer in terms of storage modulus and tanδ value and variation in mechanical characteristics of the matrix as a function of particle reinforcement has been studied by its fractographic analysis. Particle-matrix bonding in the composite has been studied by FTIR analysis. Degradation temperature of the composite has been identified using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Hardness of the ZrO2-PMMA nano filler composites has been studied using micro hardness tester. The ZrO2-PMMA composite with 10 wt% reinforcement of particle produced best results in the response of storage modulus enhancement (35% at 35 °C) and glass temperature (23%). PMMA composites with 10 wt% ZrO2 also shown considerable improvement in TGA and hardness. © 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd.