Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026
3D Printing and In Situ Surface Modification via Type I Photoinitiated Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization
Published on: February 18, 2022
High-Strength and Durable Functionalized PMMA/MPS-SiO2/CNF Nanocomposite for a Photocurable 3D-Printed Dental
Priyanka Chaudhary1, Tsui-Yun Chung1, Chieh-Ming Tsai2
1Department of Materials Engineering and Biochemical Technology R&D Center, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City 24301, Taiwan.
Abstract:
This work reports the preparation of a fibrous nanocomposite based on a poly(methyl methacryl/SiO2) nanocomposite and cellulose nanofiber (CNF) (PMECS) for a photocurable 3D-printed dental material. The PME-based resin was prepared by mixing methyl methacrylate (MMA), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), and PMMA powder. Incorporation of acrylate functionalized SiO2 nanoparticles and CNF nanofibers into the PMMA matrix further improved the mechanical performance of the composites. The photocuring process promoted rapid polymerization, minimized defects, and enhanced dimensional stability. The resin was fabricated into incisor-shaped artificial teeth using stereolithography (SLA). Mechanical evaluation by Vickers hardness testing (HV) revealed a substantial increase in hardness from the neat resin PME (36 ± 3.8 HV) and PME/CNF (PMEC, 45 ± 2.4 HV) to the optimized PMECS65 hybrid composite (126.11 ± 4.3 HV). Notably, the 3D-printed teeth exhibited the highest hardness value (195 ± 5.4 HV), attributed to their enhanced interconnected fibrous morphology. Cytotoxicity tests confirmed the biocompatibility of the composites. These findings demonstrate that the fibrous PMECS resin significantly enhances the long-term strength and reliability of 3D-printed prosthetic dental strategies, making it an ideal material for high-end restorative dentistry.
