Abstract
In the present work, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers reinforced dental composites were investigated to achieve the improved interfacial adhesion between the PAN nanofiber and resin matrix using surface modification of nanofibers. PAN nanofibers mat were prepared by electrospinning and then, surface treated with the activated bisphenol A glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA)/triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) (50/50 mass ratio) dental resin followed by photo-curing. Also, the treated nanofibers mat was milled into a powder to achieve the uniform distribution of nanofibers in the matrix resin. The reinforced dental composite were prepared by mixing the various mass fraction of the powder (0.5–15 wt%) with the Bis-GMA/TEGDMA dental monomers. The effect of weight ratio of surface-modified nanofibers to blend resin on the chemical structure, morphology, compression and flexural properties, color and polymerization shrinkage of dental composites was evaluated. The results showed that using surface-treated nanofibers with content of 5 wt% enhanced the compression strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus and work of rupture of the resultant dental composite by factors of 23%, 7%, 80%, and 145%, respectively, comparing to the unreinforced neat resin. Also, the polymerization shrinkage reduces by 37%. These significant improved properties of the dental composite could be due to the semi-interpenetration network formation between surface-modified nanofibers and resin matrix and well distribution of nanofibers in the dental resin. Further increasing the nanofiber content led to poor mechanical properties of obtained dental composites. The results also, revealed that the color of resin composite could be whiter using modified PAN nanofibers as the filler.
Highlights
In recent years, dental composites have been attracted great attention for restorative dentistry
Considering the great contribution of nanofiber surface properties and enhancing interfacial adhesion between fibers and matrix resin to the mechanical properties of dental composites, this work is aimed at developing a new bisphenol A glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA) based dental composite reinforced with surface treated PAN nanofibers mat with the activated Bis-GMA/ triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) dental resin followed by photo-curing
As the reinforcement of the dental resin with electrospun nanofibers mat or felt via layer by layer impregnation with dental resin is not applicable method for the dentistry, the treated nanofibers mat was milled into a powder to achieve the uniform distribution of nanofibers in the matrix resin
Summary
Dental composites have been attracted great attention for restorative dentistry. Mechanical properties are the most important issue in dental composites. The fracture plays a vital role in the mechanical failure which is affected by the interfacial adhesion between filler and resin matrix [7]. Researchers have widely focused on the filler content, particle size, enhancing adhesion between filler and resin which improve the physical and mechanical properties of dental composites [8,9,10]. It has been demonstrated that the mechanical properties of dental composites are severely affected by size and mass of the filler particles. Many attempts have been made to gradually reduce the filer particle size from micron to nanometer to achieve considerable improved mechanical properties of the dental composites [11,12,13]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
