biostudies-literatureFu DU.S. Department of EnergyNIDCR NIH HHSArgonne National LaboratoryNational Institute of Dental and Craniofacial ResearchNational Institutes of HealthOffice of Science800-810https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11098697biostudies-literatureUnknown40(5)<h4>Objectives</h4>Heterogeneity and phase separation during network polymerization is a major issue contributing to the failure of dental adhesives. This study investigates how the ratio of hydrophobic crosslinkers to hydrophilic comonomer (C/H ratio), as well as cosolvent fraction (ethanol/water) influences the degree of heterogeneity and proclivity for phase separation in a series of model adhesive formulations.<h4>Methods</h4>Twelve formulations were investigated, with 4 different C/H ratios (7:1, 2.2:1, 1:1, 0.5:1) and 3 different overall cosolvent fractions (0, 10 and 20 wt%). The heterogeneity and phase behavior were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and atomic force microscopy Dental materials : official publication of the Academy of Dental MaterialsCompatibility versus reaction diffusion: Factors that determine the heterogeneity of polymerized adhesive networks.PMC11098697K25 DE028949K25DE028949DE-AC02–06CH11357Cheng SFu DEngland EZhang YHolles SBSzczepanski CfalseCompatibility versus reaction diffusion: Factors that determine the heterogeneity of polymerized adhesive networks.<h4>Objectives</h4>Heterogeneity and phase separation during network polymerization is a major issue contributing to the failure of dental adhesives. This study investigates how the ratio of hydrophobic crosslinkers to hydrophilic comonomer (C/H ratio), as well as cosolvent fraction (ethanol/water) influences the degree of heterogeneity and proclivity for phase separation in a series of model adhesive formulations.<h4>Methods</h4>Twelve formulations were investigated, with 4 different C/H ratios (7:1, 2.2:1, 1:1, 0.5:1) and 3 different overall cosolvent fractions (0, 10 and 20 wt%). The heterogeneity and phase behavior were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and atomic force microscopy 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 May2025-06-27T03:05:28.332Z2025-06-27T03:05:28.332ZS-EPMC110986973848559910.1016/j.dental.2024.03.002