Three methods with functions of modification on aluminum borate whisker and with influence on flexural properties of dental composite resins / 生物医学工程学杂志

ABSTRACT

The present paper is aimed to discuss the influence of three different ways on modification of aluminum borate whiskers (AlBw) and on flexural properties of dental composite resins. In Group A, AlBw and silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles were thermally fused directly under certain processes. In Group B, Si-O network was formed on the surface of AlBw via the sol-gel process of tetraethoxysilane, then thermally fused with SiO2 nanoparticles to form AlBw-SiO2 compound as inorganic fillers. In Group C, SiO2 nanoparticles were repaired by sol-gel method of tetraethoxysilane under certain processes, and were deposited in the surface of AlBw. The mixtures were fused with high temperature sintering method. The effects of the surface morphology of AlBw with different ways were characterized by TEM and SEM. Then the mixtures were polymerized with resin matrix after surface siliconization and their flexural strength and Young's modulus were determined. SEM was used to examine specimen fracture surfaces. The results showed that the flexural properties of dental composite resins were significantly improved after whiskers were modified. Different methods produce different effects. Flexural strength of the Group A is (95.28 +/- 4.53) MPa. The results of TEM and SEM revealed that the aggregation was obvious between AlBw and SiO2 nanoparticles. Flexural strength of the Group B was (123.14 +/- 17.37) MPa. The results of TEM and SEM revealed that the dispersity was improved but SiO2 nanoparticles also reunited. AlBw were modified with nanometer-size SiO2 particles which were prepared by sol-gel method based on tetraethyl orthosioate (TEOS), the flexural properties of a new type of dental composite resins was (130.29 +/- 8.38) MPa. The results of TEM and SEM revealed that better dispersion between AlBw and SiO2 nanoparticles occurred. The SiO2 nanoparticles were fused and attached onto the surface of AlBw uniformly.