Effect of Fluorographene Addition on Mechanical and Adhesive Properties of a New Core Build-Up Composite

• Published in: Polymers 2022-12, Vol.14 (23), p.5301
• Main Authors: Baldissara, Paolo, Silvestri, Davide, Pieri, Giovanni Maria, Mazzitelli, Claudia, Arena, Antonio, Maravic, Tatjana, Monaco, Carlo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accumulation; Adhesives; Analysis; Bond strength; Bonding strength; Cement; Cements; Dentin; Flexural strength; Fluorine; Graphene; Mechanical properties; Modulus of elasticity; Morphology; Nanocomposites; Prostheses; Prototypes; Zirconium dioxide; Zirconium oxide
• ISSN: 2073-4360; 2073-4360
• DOI: 10.3390/polym14235301

This study aims to develop a restorative material having such mechanical and adhesive properties that it can be used both as a reconstruction material and as a luting cement. The experimental core build-up composite (CBC) was derived from a self-adhesive cement by the modification of its chemical formula, requiring the use of dedicated dentin and ceramic primers. The adhesive properties to zirconia and dentin were analyzed with a micro-Shear Bond Strength test (mSBS). The mechanical properties were analyzed by a flexural strength test. The results were compared with those obtained for other commercially available cements and core build-up materials, both before and after addition of 2 wt.% fluorographene. The CBC obtained average values in the mSBS of 49.7 ± 4.74 MPa for zirconia and 32.2 ± 4.9 MPa for dentin, as well as values of 110.9 ± 9.3 MPa for flexural strength and 6170.8 ± 703.2 MPa for Young's modulus. The addition of fluorographene, while increasing the Young's modulus of the core build-up composite by 10%, did not improve the adhesive capabilities of the primers and cement on either zirconia or dentin. The CBC showed adhesive and mechanical properties adequate both for a restoration material and a luting cement. The addition of 2 wt.% fluorographene was shown to interfere with the polymerization reaction of the material, suggesting the need for further studies.