Origin of micro-scale heterogeneity in polymerisation of photo-activated resin composites.

ABSTRACT: Photo-activated resin composites are widely used in industry and medicine. Despite extensive chemical characterisation, the micro-scale pattern of resin matrix reactive group conversion between filler particles is not fully understood. Using an advanced synchrotron-based wide-field IR imaging system and state-of-the-art Mie scattering corrections, we observe how the presence of monodispersed silica filler particles in a methacrylate based resin reduces local conversion and chemical bond strain in the polymer phase. Here we show that heterogeneity originates from a lower converted and reduced bond strain boundary layer encapsulating each particle, whilst at larger inter-particulate distances light attenuation and monomer mobility predominantly influence conversion. Increased conversion corr

SUBMITTER: Sirovica S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7160210 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature