Influence of the concentration and type of functionalization of TiO2 nanostructures on the properties of experimental resins

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of different concentrations of functionalized and non-functionalized TiO2 nanostructures on the properties of an experimental resin. TiO2 nanotubes and nanoparticles were synthesized and functionalized by 3- (aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTMS) and 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TSMPM). TiO2 nanostructures were characterized by x-ray diffractometer, EDS, zeta potential, SEM, and TEM. Bis-GMA/TEGDMA resin mixtures were prepared and divided according to TiO2 nanostructure (nanotube and nanoparticle), concentration (0.3 and 0.9%), and functionalization (APTMS and TSMPM). Ninety-one resin discs were made (n = 7) and photoactivated (1000 mW/cm2). The degree of conversion (DC) was evaluated immediately and after 24 hours, and Knoop hardness (KHN) was evaluated after 7 days and after immersion in 100% ethanol for analysis of crosslink density. Data were analyzed with one-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey\'s HSD ( = 0.05). For DC, there was a significant difference between resins (p < 0.001) and times (p < 0.001). For KHN, significant differences were found between resins (p < 0.001) and between before and after immersion in alcohol (p < 0.001). The resin × hardness interaction was significant (p < 0.001). The highest values of DC were found at 24 hours for the groups with 0.3% TiO2 nanotubes functionalized with TSMPM. The same results were also observed for hardness after immersion in ethanol. We conclude that TiO2 nanostructures have different characteristics and can directly interfere with the properties of the resin. (AU)