Synthesis of TiO2-PMMA nanocomposite:: Using methacrylic acid as a coupling agent

Inorganic-polymer nanocomposites are of significant interest for emerging materials due to their improved properties and unique combination of properties. Methacrylic acid (MA), a functionalization agent that can chemically link TiO2 nanomaterials (n-TiO2) and polymer matrix, was used to modify the surface of n-TiO2 using a Ti-carboxylic coordination bond. Then, the double bond in MA was copolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA) to form a n-TiO2-PMMA nanocomposite. The resulting n-TiO2-PMMA nanocomposite materials were characterized by using thermal analysis, electron microscopy, and elemental analysis. The dynamic mechanical properties (Young's and shear modulus) were measured using an ultrasonic pulse technique. The electron microscopy results showed a good distribution of the nanofillers in the polymer matrix. The glass transition temperature, thermal degradation temperature, and dynamic elastic moduli of the nanocomposites were shown to increase with an increase in the weight percentage of nanofibers in the composite. The resulting nanocomposites exhibited improved elastic properties and have potential application in dental composites and bone cements.