A novel amphiphilic acrylic copolymer based on Triton X-100 for a poly(alkenoate) glass-ionomer cement

Objectives The aim of this study was to synthesize a novel ampiphilic polyalkenoic acid copolymer based on acrylic acid and a methacrylic macromonomer of Triton X-100 and determine the efficacy of the novel copolymeric polyalkenoic acid in the formation of glass-ionomer cements. Methods Two water soluble copolymers of acrylic acid (AA) and a new amphiphilic macromonomer derived from Triton X-100 (MT) were prepared via radical copolymerisation at 60 °C, using azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator and used to formulate conventional glass-ionomer cements with reactive glass fillers. The acid–base reaction was carried out by reacting aqueous solutions of the new copolymer (40 and 50%) with a commercial aluminofluorosilicate glass as used in conventional glass-ionomer cements. The efficacy of the new copolymer in the formation of glass-ionomer cements was investigated and preliminary results on setting parameters, FTIR analysis, mechanical properties and SEM analysis are reported in this paper. Results The copolymers were synthesized and characterized and further used to successfully prepare glass-ionomer cements. The experimental cements exhibited longer setting and working times in comparison to conventional glass-ionomer cements and the inclusion of tartaric acid enhanced the mechanical properties, which were comparable to the commercial glass-ionomer cement, Fuji IX. Significance Glass-ionomer cements prepared using ampiphilic comonomers is expected to influence their behavior in both polar and non-polar environments. As bulky side chains have been incorporated within the polymeric chain it is expected to affect the reaction kinetics of the acid–base reaction.