Evaluation of the structure and thermal stability of composite materials based on methacrylates containing special additives

Modified composites are an intriguing alternative to conventional materials due to their improved properties achieved by the addition of specific modifiers. The inclusion of antimicrobial agents enables the formation of a composite layer suitable for applications such as countertop surfaces and equipment housings, helping to reduce the spread of pathogens and thereby improving human safety. Polymeric materials of this type should have important properties, including effective UV curing in thin films and adequate mechanical and thermal resistance after curing. This article presents in-depth characterization of the structure and thermal properties of composite materials containing bisphenol A dimethacrylate with active diluents such as N-vinylpyrrolidone, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. The composites were modified with benzethonium chloride, copper(II) sulfate, nanosilver, and zinc methacrylate, each of which has documented antimicrobial efficacy. Thermal stability was assessed by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, and the gases emitted during heating were analyzed. The results indicate that the modified materials show high thermal stability, with noticeable levels observed at 98.4 °C for NVP-5%Ag and 295.2 °C for HEMA-5%CuSO4.