Methacrylate and epoxy functionalized nanocomposites based on silsesquioxane cores for use in dental applications

The aim of this study was to design and develop nanocomposites based on silsesquioxane cores (SSQ) with reduced shrinkage properties upon curing for application in dental restorative materials. SSQ based nanocomposites with varying amounts of methacrylate and/or epoxide groups were prepared via Pt-catalyzed hydrosilylation of di(propylene glycol) allyl ether methacrylate, propargyl methacrylate, and 4-vinyl-cyclohexene epoxide combinations with (HMe2SiOSiO1.5)8. The compounds were obtained in high yield (>85%) and were readily characterized by NMR, FTIR, GPC, DSC and TGA. The resultant nanocomposites were clear, viscous liquids at room temperature with working viscosities well suited for dental composites. Initial results show these materials have significantly lower shrinkage during curing than traditional monomers used for dental composite applications.