Chemical initiator-free synthesis of Poly (acrylic acid-co-itaconic acid) using radiation-induced polymerization for application in dental cements

Abstract

Glass ionomer cements (GICs) have been explored by the researchers around the world for their applications in dentistry because of numerous advantages such as their distinctive clinical properties e.g., anticariogenic properties, chemical adhesion to tooth surface and biocompatibility. However, the GICs prepared through the conventional chemical polymerization methods suffer from many disadvantages including release of unreacted monomer and toxic initiator into oral cavity. Therefore, in the present work, attempts were made to synthesize the polymer to be used in GICs using toxic initiator-free γ-irradiation technique. Different molar ratios of acrylic acid and itaconic acid were polymerized using Co-60 γ-source to produce Poly(acrylic acid-co-itaconic acid, PAA-co-IA). The synthesized copolymers, were characterized by FTIR, DSC and TGA. Compressive strengths of GIC specimens formed by incorporating fluoro-aluminosilicate (FAS) glass with synthesized copolymers, were investigated after storing for 1, 7, 14 and 28 days in distilled water. FESEM was performed to study the surface morphology of the cements. The working and setting time were determined as per ISO4049. The copolymers PAA-co-IA were synthesized via γ-irradiation method to form GIC. The results show that DC/PAA-co-IA/2:1 have higher Compressive Strength (CS) of 157.65 ± 4.02 M Pa as compared to control. High acidic erosion stability was observed, which was in agreement with the FESEM studies showing lower cracks and voids. Thus, γ-irradiation polymerization technique was initiator-free, facile and proficient for the synthesis of copolymers used in preparing GICs.