Synthesis and characterization of a new bio-inspired low molecular weight inorganic-organic hybrid resin with tunable properties and multifunctionality for in situ polymerization

Synthesis and characterization of a new bio-inspired low molecular weight inorganic-organic hybrid polymer with tunable properties and multifunctionality for <i>in situ</i> polymerization and cross linking. The hybrid bioactive polymer was synthesized through modified sol-gel method using 3- trimethoxy silyl propyl methacrylate as the precursor. The new polymer was characterized using Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H-NMR), Carbon-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (¹³C- NMR), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) for confirming the existence of inorganic as well as organic entities in the material. The volumetric shrinkage and bioactivity of the newly synthesized polymer was analyzed using Micro Computed Tomography (µ-CT) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The excellent bioactivity with low polymerization shrinkage compared to the conventional resin used in biomedical applications, makes the new bio-inspired inorganic-organic hybrid bioactive polymer a potential resin matrix for the development of dental composites, bone cements and for coating applications.