A novel amphiphilic acrylic copolymer based on Triton X-100 for a poly(alkenoate) glass-ionomer cement.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to synthesize a novel ampiphilic polyalkenoic acid copolymer based on acrylic acid and a methacrylic macromonomer of Triton X-100 and determine the efficacy of the novel copolymeric polyalkenoic acid in the formation of glass-ionomer cements.


METHODS
Two water soluble copolymers of acrylic acid (AA) and a new amphiphilic macromonomer derived from Triton X-100 (MT) were prepared via radical copolymerisation at 60 degrees C, using azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator and used to formulate conventional glass-ionomer cements with reactive glass fillers. The acid-base reaction was carried out by reacting aqueous solutions of the new copolymer (40 and 50%) with a commercial aluminofluorosilicate glass as used in conventional glass-ionomer cements. The efficacy of the new copolymer in the formation of glass-ionomer cements was investigated and preliminary results on setting parameters, FTIR analysis, mechanical properties and SEM analysis are reported in this paper.


RESULTS
The copolymers were synthesized and characterized and further used to successfully prepare glass-ionomer cements. The experimental cements exhibited longer setting and working times in comparison to conventional glass-ionomer cements and the inclusion of tartaric acid enhanced the mechanical properties, which were comparable to the commercial glass-ionomer cement, Fuji IX.


CONCLUSIONS
Glass-ionomer cements prepared using ampiphilic comonomers is expected to influence their behavior in both polar and non-polar environments. As bulky side chains have been incorporated within the polymeric chain it is expected to affect the reaction kinetics of the acid-base reaction.
Larraz
E
E
Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros, Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
Deb
S
S
Elvira
C
C
Román
J San
JS
D000179:Acrylates / Q000737:chemistry*; D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000737:chemistry; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D005459:Fluorides / Q000737:chemistry; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009570:Nitriles / Q000737:chemistry; D017830:Octoxynol / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D013644:Tartrates / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors
D000179:Acrylates; D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D003764:Dental Materials; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements; D009570:Nitriles; D011108:Polymers; D013644:Tartrates; C110713:fuji IX; C049037:aluminosilicate; D017830:Octoxynol; C004526:azobis(isobutyronitrile); C036658:acrylic acid; D005459:Fluorides; C029768:tartaric acid