Physical analysis of an acrylic resin modified by metal and ceramic nanoparticles

Background. Nanoparticles (NPs) have gained significant attention in various fields due to their unique properties and potential applications. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is an acrylic resin widely used in dentistry and medicine. However, the effect of different types of NP fillers on the physical properties of PMMA-based resins has not been thoroughly explored in the literature. Objectives. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of 3 different types of NP fillers on the physical properties of an experimental PMMA-based resin as a function of the NP content and concentration. Material and methods. Ten groups (n = 10) were designed. The specimens were composed of an acrylic resin, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), cerium dioxide (CeO₂), and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) at the following ratios (wt%): group 1 (G1) – control; group 2 (G2) – 0.5% SiO₂; group 3 (G3) – 1% SiO₂; group 4 (G4) – 3% SiO₂; group 5 (G5) – 0.5% CeO₂; group 6 (G6) – 1% CeO₂; group 7 (G7) – 3% CeO₂; group 8 (G8) – 0.5% TiO₂; group 9 (G9) – 1% TiO₂; and group 10 (G10) – 3% TiO₂. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to assess the quality of NP dispersion. Thermal stability was assessed with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The effects of the abovementioned NPs on the properties of the resin were evaluated using the Archimedes principle for density, the Vickers hardness (VH) test and the impact strength (IS) test. Data analysis employed the one-and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Duncan’s post hoc test at a significance level of 0.05. Results. Transmission electron microscopy showed partial NP dispersion. All types of NPs enhanced the mechanical properties of the acrylic resin except for IS, which was similar to that of the control group. Among the types of NPs, irrespective of the weight percentage, CeO₂ showed higher thermal stability and higher IS for 0.5 wt% and 1 wt% as compared to other groups, as well as the highest values of density at 0.5 wt%, 1 wt% and 3 wt%. Titanium oxide at 1 wt% presented a higher VH as compared to other groups. The fracture pattern was the same for all groups. Conclusions. Incorporating the tested NPs into the acrylic resin resulted in enhanced physical properties, primarily attributed to a lower NP content.