Physicochemical and bioactive properties of innovative resin-based materials containing functional halloysite-nanotubes fillers

• Triclosan nanoparticles can be incorporated into halloysite nanotube fillers.
• Halloysite incorporation (10 wt%) do not alter physicochemical properties.
• Halloysite nanotube fillers promote mineral deposition.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the degree of conversion, microhardness, solvent degradation, contact angle, surface free energy and bioactivity (e.g., mineral precipitation) of experimental resin-based materials containing, pure or triclosan-encapsulated, aluminosilicate-(halloysite) nanotubes.MethodsAn experimental resin blend was prepared using bis-GMA/TEGDMA, 75/25 wt% (control). Halloysite nanotubes (HNT) doped with or without triclosan (TCN) were first analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). HNT or HNT/TCN fillers were incorporated into the resin blend at different concentrations (5, 10, and 20 wt%). Seven experimental resins were created and the degree of conversion, microhardness, solvent degradation and contact angle were assessed. Bioactive mineral precipitation induced by the experimental resins was evaluated through Raman spectroscopy and SEM-EDX.ResultsTEM showed a clear presence of TCN particles inside the tubular lumen and along the outer surfaces of the halloysite nanotubes. The degree of conversion, surface free energy, microhardness, and mineral deposition of polymers increased with higher amount of HNTs. Conversely, the higher the amount (20 wt%) of TCN-loaded HNTs the lower the microhardness of the experimental resins.SignificanceThe incorporation of pure or TCN-loaded aluminosilicate-(halloysite) nanotubes into resin-based materials increase the bioactivity of such experimental restorative materials and promotes mineral deposition. Therefore, innovative resin-based materials containing functional halloysite-nanotube fillers may represent a valuable alternative for therapeutic minimally invasive treatments.

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