Application of acrylated quinoline derivatives as photoinitiators to produce new dental resins.

• Grant number: 24/14443-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Dental Materials
• Principal Investigator: Adilson Yoshio Furuse
• Grantee: Vitor Fernandes Moreno
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Polymers are materials widely used in different domains of science, industry, and technology. They can be obtained, among other methods, through photopolymerization reactions, which have gained relevance in the last two decades, especially in the dental field. Research related to dental restorations seeks more durable and resistant materials that also meet the growing aesthetic demands of patients. Commonly reported issues include incomplete polymerization of resin monomers, causing structural damage to the restoration, as well as secondary caries in the teeth; and the cytotoxicity of currently marketed photoinitiator systems, which often also present difficult color control. Therefore, it is necessary to develop resins containing alternative initiator systems that improve the quality of polymerization and, consequently, the resistance of restorations. This project aims to produce composite resins containing novel quinoline derivatives with polymerizable methacrylate terminations in the photoinitiator system, aiming for better adhesion of this system to the polymer network, which tends to increase conversion and material resistance, as well as reduce the leaching of unpolymerized substances. Quinoline derivatives have been gaining prominence in the scientific community for being found in important drugs and natural products, possessing a low toxicity nature. The insertion of Nb2O5 nanoparticles into the resin will also be addressed, seeking better mechanical properties of the final material. The goal is also to employ the system developed here in a resin usable in 3D printers for additive manufacturing of dental restorations at low production times and costs. (AU)