Effect of silica nanoparticles on mechanical properties of self-cured acrylic resin

• Published in: Journal of nanoparticle research : an interdisciplinary forum for nanoscale science and technology 2020-11, Vol.22 (11), Article 317
• Main Authors: Mussatto, C. M. B., Oliveira, E. M. N., Subramani, K., Papaléo, R. M., Mota, E. G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acrylic resins; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Composite materials; Flexural strength; Inorganic Chemistry; Lasers; Materials Science; Mechanical properties; Microhardness; Monomers; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Optical Devices; Optics; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Polymers; Research Paper; Resins; Silica; Silicon dioxide; Surface roughness; Variance analysis
• ISSN: 1388-0764; 1572-896X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11051-020-05050-y

The purpose of this in vitro study is to evaluate the effect of the incorporation of silanized and non-silanized silica nanoparticles (~ 160 nm) in mechanical properties and surface roughness of self-cured acrylic resins. Five groups of samples were produced (with six specimens each), following the ISO 20795-1:2013 specifications. In the control group (Ctrl), no particles were added in the resin composition. Non-silanized silica nanoparticles were added either into the polymer (0.7 wt%, group G1) or into the monomer (0.27 wt%, G2). Two equivalent groups were formed for composite resins with silanized nanoparticles (groups G3 with 0.7 wt% incorporated into the polymer and G4 with 0.27 wt% added into the monomer). Data were submitted to Shapiro-Wilk ( α  = 0.05) and ANOVA/Tukey ( α  = 0.05). Nanoparticle-loaded resins showed similar microhardness as the control and a reduced flexural strength (20–27%) which was neither dependent on the amount of filler added nor in the method of nanoparticle incorporation. Surface silanization caused no major improvement in the mechanical behavior of the nanoresins but appears to improve dispersibility, as indicated by a smaller surface roughness.