Effect of poly(acrylic acid) architecture on setting and mechanical properties of glass ionomer cements

R Wetzel; O Eckardt; P Biehl; D S Brauer; F H Schacher

doi:10.1016/j.dental.2020.01.001

Effect of poly(acrylic acid) architecture on setting and mechanical properties of glass ionomer cements

Dent Mater. 2020 Mar;36(3):377-386. doi: 10.1016/j.dental.2020.01.001. Epub 2020 Jan 25.

Authors

R Wetzel¹, O Eckardt², P Biehl², D S Brauer³, F H Schacher⁴

Affiliations

¹ Otto Schott Institute of Materials Research, Friedrich Schiller University, Fraunhoferstr. 6, 07743 Jena, Germany.
² Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Lessingstraße 8, D 07443 Jena, Germany; Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, D-07743 Jena, Germany.
³ Otto Schott Institute of Materials Research, Friedrich Schiller University, Fraunhoferstr. 6, 07743 Jena, Germany. Electronic address: delia.brauer@uni-jena.de.
⁴ Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Lessingstraße 8, D 07443 Jena, Germany; Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, D-07743 Jena, Germany. Electronic address: felix.schacher@uni-jena.de.

PMID: 31992486
DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2020.01.001

Abstract

Objective: This work focuses on the influence of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) architecture (linear or branched) on setting behavior and compressive strength of glass ionomer cements (GICs).

Methods: Branched and linear poly(acrylic acid)s were synthesized according to the Strathclyde methodology or by free radical polymerization. They were characterized by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography to determine their molecular weight and size distribution. GIC setting was characterized by oscillating rheometry and time-dependent FTIR spectroscopy. In addition, compressive strength was tested on cylindrical samples (6 × 4 mm; n = 8/cement composition) after storage in deionized water at 37 °C for one day.

Results: We used two different routes to prepare PAA. One direct route in order to provide straightforward access to branched PAA and a two-step approach in order to get more control about the PAA molecular weight using tert-butyl acrylate (tBA) for polymerization with subsequent deprotection. Using the second approach we obtained several linear PAA of which a mixture was used in order to mimic the molecular weight and size distribution of branched PAA. This allowed the direct comparison of properties relying only on the polymer architecture. Comparing linear PAA to branched samples in general led to faster setting but at the same time decreased the compressive strength. Increasing molecular weight of branched PAA resulted in even faster GIC setting while increasing compressive strength and this correlates well with the trends reported for linear PAA in literature. Mixing of branched and linear PAA, however, turned out to be an effective way of tailoring GIC properties.

Significance: our results suggest that both molecular weight and dispersity need to be considered when choosing suitable PAA architecture for obtaining specific GIC properties.

Keywords: Branched poly(acrylic acid); Glass ionomer cements; Hybrid materials.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Acrylic Resins*
Compressive Strength
Glass Ionomer Cements*
Materials Testing

Substances

Acrylic Resins
Glass Ionomer Cements
carbopol 940