Nanocomposites obtained by incorporation of silanized silver nanowires to improve mechanical properties and prevent fungal adhesion

In this work, the surfaces of silver nanowires (AgNWs) were modified by silanization process to improve the mechanical and antibiofilm properties of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) dental resins. A two-route methodology was used to silanize the AgNWs: first, a surface treatment using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) was performed to act as interface agent; and then, gamma-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS) was used to insert functional groups compatible to the acrylic resin. PMMA/AgNWs composites were obtained using pristine (AgNWP) and modified AgNWs (AgNWM) at concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0 wt%. The mechanical (flexural and impact strength) and antibiofilm properties against Candida albicans was investigated. AgNWM showed an enhancement in the dispersion and adhesion within the PMMA matrix, which were responsible for improvements in the mechanical properties. Results of flexural strength showed significant improvements for the sample with incorporation of 0.5 wt% of AgNWM and no significative changes for the sample with AgNWP. In addition, a reduction of about 50% in the biofilm formation by C. albicans was observed for the samples with 0.5 and 1.0 wt% of AgNWM. The incorporation of silanized-AgNWs into PMMA dental resins can combine improvements in antimicrobial activity and in the flexural strength, being a potential antimicrobial biomaterial for dental applications.