Prepolymerized organic–inorganic hybrid nanoparticles as fillers for light-cured methacrylate monomers

Abstract

Poly(hidroxyethyl methacrylate)/silica (PHEMA/SiO2) hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposites were prepared through the simultaneous polymerization of 2-hydroxyyethyl methacrylated and tetraethoxysilane. PHEMA/SIO2 materials were obtained as monolitic and trasparent films consisting of silica nanoparticles (diameter below 100 nm) surrounded by the PHEMA matrix. The films were crushed into fine powder and the PHEMA/SiO2 were used as filler of methacrylate monomers. The polymeric methacrylate present in the PHEMA/SiO2 hybrid particles improves the compatibility of the filler with the methacrylate monomer to be photopolymerized, resulting in enhanced wetting capabilities.