Development of High-Strength and Antibacterial PMMA Composites Reinforced with Silane-Coated ZrO2 Nanoparticles for Dental Applications

PCFM 2026 , Malatya, Türkiye, 8 - 10 Mayıs 2026, cilt.1, sa.1, ss.11, (Özet Bildiri)

Abstract— Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is the most widely used biomaterial in dental prosthesis

fabrication due to its low cost, ease of processing and pigmentation, low toxicity, and adequate mechanical

properties. Zirconium oxide ceramics, on the other hand, have found widespread use in restorative dentistry due

to their tensile and compressive strength, high flexural strength, biocompatibility, and aesthetics. In this study,

PMMA-ZrO2 nanocomposite formulations containing varying concentrations of ZrO₂ nanoparticles were

prepared. In the FTIR spectrum of the PMMA structure, an aliphatic C-H stretching vibration at ~2950 cm⁻¹, a

C=O stretching vibration at ~1720 cm⁻¹, and an asymmetric stretching vibration at 1140 cm⁻¹ were attributed to

the C-O-C group. In the PMMA-ZrO₂ composite structure, a Zr-O vibration was observed at ~600 cm⁻¹. We can

say that the targeted PMMA-ZrO₂ composite structure was obtained and that the nanoparticle-polymer bonding

was successful. In the TGA thermogram, ZrO2 NPs showed almost no mass loss, this behavior is typical of pure

ZrO₂, and no significant weight loss was observed from RT up to 800 °C. This result shows that ZrO2 NPs are

extremely pure and thermally stable, consistent with literature data. The TGA thermogram of the PMMA–ZrO₂

nanocomposite showed a mass loss between approximately 350–550 °C. This region is the thermal

decomposition range of PMMA, and the ZrO₂ inorganic residue in the structure limits the total weight loss.

Optical microscopic images revealed that the pure PMMA structure exhibited a relatively homogeneous

morphology, while the addition of ZrO2 resulted in rougher surfaces with pronounced aggregations and

heterogeneous structures. The formation of a composite structure was confirmed in the images obtained. It is

thought that the developed hybrid nanocomposite structures will significantly improve the durability,

antimicrobial resistance, and biological safety profile of traditional PMMA-based prosthetic materials, making

them a promising alternative for dental prosthesis applications