TITLE:
Effect of Hydroxyapatite Filler in an Aluminosilicate Glass Ionomer Cements
AUTHORS:
Md Alamgir Kabir, Md Moshiur Rahman, Humayun Kabir, Md Moniruzzaman Khan, Khokon Hossen, Sooraj H. Nandyala, Artemis Stamboulis
KEYWORDS:
FTIR, SEM, EDX, XRD, Hydroxyapatite (HA), Poly-Acrylic Acid (PAA), RBCs, Biomaterials, CS, DTS, FS
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering,
Vol.13 No.2,
February
26,
2025
ABSTRACT: Hydroxyapatite (HA) is widely explored as a biocompatible filler to enhance the mechanical and functional properties of glass ionomer cements (GICs). HA of particle sizes 15 µm and 30 µm were added as a filler into a matrix, composed of calcium aluminosilicate GICs and Poly-acrylic acid (PAA) in varying ratios. The tested ratios were Glass:PAA = 2:1 and Glass:HA:PAA = 2:0.5:1 to improve the mechanical strength of a conventional GIC. Mechanical properties, including compressive, flexural, and diametral tensile strength were studied at different setting times. The compressive strength (CS) was improved with hydroxyapatite addition and prolonged setting time while diametral tensile strength (DTS) did not follow any specific trend. The flexural strength (FS) of the composite cement was increased with increasing setting time regardless of the particle size of hydroxyapatite. The FTIR spectra of hydroxyapatite of particle sizes 15 μm and 30 μm are similar but for HA-GIC composites, the FTIR spectra, the peak around 1460 cm−1 are due to C-H and the peak at 1553 cm−1 is due to calcium carboxylate with calcium in a bridging mode which would be an excellent material that chemically bonds to the tooth structure, making it effective for both restorative procedures and cavity fillings. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) microstructural study revealed that the glass particles were wrenched out, which was a cohesive fracture. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern showed that the hydroxyapatite has a crystalline single-phase, hexagonal structure. The sharp peaks between the 2-theta range of 30 - 40 degrees are the same as in enamel powder. The spectra indicate the pure set cement as amorphous since there is no prominent peak, but with the addition of hydroxyapatite filler, the peak in the 2-theta range of 20 - 35 degrees is ascribed to crystalline apatite structure. The results indicate that incorporating hydroxyapatite into GIC significantly enhances its mechanical properties and structural integrity, suggesting its potential as an improved material for dental and restorative applications.