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Development of oral‐fluid‐impervious and fracture‐resistant silver–poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoformulations for intra‐oral/extra‐oral rehabilitation
Author(s) -
Gopalakrishnan Sandhya,
Raj Indu,
Mathew T. Aby,
Abraham Jiji,
Maria Hanna. J.,
Mozetič Miran,
Thomas Sabu,
Kalarikkal Nandakumar
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.47669
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , flexural strength , scanning electron microscope , composite number , flexural modulus , methacrylate , poly(methyl methacrylate) , polymer , methyl methacrylate , nanocomposite , surface roughness , silver nanoparticle , nanoparticle , monomer , nanotechnology
Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) based dental prosthetic materials have an inferior transverse resistance value and a high water‐retention capacity. These drawbacks cause frequent prosthesis fractures both inside and outside the mouth, which require the remaking or repair of the prosthesis. The mechanical and physical durability of the polymer matrix can be improved by the incorporation of a multifunctional filler. In this study, we focused on the reinforcing effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the flexural properties of PMMA. Apart from that, the transport behavior of water and saliva through this composite matrix was also studied extensively. Morphological analyses with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy imaging techniques confirmed the uniform distribution of nanoparticles in the matrix with an increased surface roughness proportionate to the amount of AgNPs. The flexural strength and modulus were enhanced by the addition of up to 5 wt % AgNPs ( p < 0.05); we also observed a significant increase in the fracture resistance. The SEM micrographs of the fractured ends of AgNP‐reinforced groups had smaller cracks compared to the large multidirectional cracks in the unreinforced group. The diffusion of oral fluid through the composite was investigated in detail as a function of the AgNP content, the nature of the solvent (water or saliva), and the temperature (5, 28, 37, or 60°C). The water and saliva uptake, diffusion, sorption, and permeation constants were investigated and were found to decrease with increasing AgNP loading. The transport properties could have been related to the morphology of the nanocomposites and followed the Korsmeyer–Peppas model. At high concentrations, the AgNPs formed a local filler–filler network in the polymer matrix. This network hindered the transport of water and saliva through the polymer. The outcome deduced from this study confirmed that the reinforced nanocomposites improved the durability of the denture base and could be an effective replacement for the conventional denture base. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136 , 47669.