Effect of carbon nanotube incorporation on the mechanical and physical properties of hydroxyapatite/glass ionomer nanocomposite

This manuscript discusses the potential use of multi-walled (MW) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as a filler material in hydroxyapatite/glass ionomer cement HA/GIC nanocomposite to enhance its properties: mechanical and physical. Four different proportions (1, 2, 3, and 5 wt%) of CNTs were added to the HA/GIC nanocomposite to determine the optimum ratio that can lead to the best properties of the new nanocomposite biomaterial. Mechanical mixing technique followed in dentistry was used in preparing all samples. FTIR, PSA, XRD, TEM, and SEM were used to characterize the fabricated Pellets. In addition, the new nanocomposite samples were evaluated using compressive and diametral tensile tests. Overall, increasing the weight ratio of CNTs added to the nanocomposite (from 1 to 5 wt%) caused about a 40% reduction in the compression strength of the samples. However, a slight increase (about 4%) was detected at 2 wt% CNTs samples. Also, a distinct increase in the elasticity of the composite (about 50%) was reported. The best results of diametral tensile strength were found at a 3 wt% CNTs. Furthermore, for all samples, adding CNTs to the composite changed the sample’s color from A2 and B2 to totally black color.