Physicochemical properties of a calcium aluminate cement containing nanoparticles of zinc oxide.

Objectives: This study evaluated the effect of different nanoparticulated zinc oxide (nano-ZnO) and conventional-ZnO ratios on the physicochemical properties of calcium aluminate cement (CAC).

Materials And Methods: The conventional-ZnO and nano-ZnO were added to the cement powder in the following proportions: G1 (20% conventional-ZnO), G2 (15% conventional-ZnO + 5% nano-ZnO), G3 (12% conventional-ZnO + 3% nano-ZnO) and G4 (10% conventional-ZnO + 5% nano-ZnO). The radiopacity (R), setting time (S), dimensional change (D), solubility (S), compressive strength (C), and pH were evaluated. The nano-ZnO and CAC containing conventional-ZnO were also assessed using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Radiopacity data were analyzed by the 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni tests ( < 0.05). The data of the other properties were analyzed by the ANOVA, Tukey, and Fisher tests ( < 0.05).

Results: The nano-ZnO and CAC containing conventional-ZnO powders presented particles with few impurities and nanometric and micrometric sizes, respectively. G1 had the highest R mean value ( < 0.05). When compared to G1, groups containing nano-ZnO had a significant reduction in the S ( < 0.05) and lower values of D at 24 hours ( < 0.05). The C was higher for G4, with a significant difference for the other groups ( < 0.05). The S did not present significant differences among groups ( > 0.05).

Conclusions: The addition of nano-ZnO to CAC improved its dimensional change, setting time, and compressive strength, which may be promising for the clinical performance of this cement.