The aim of this study was to obtaining an adhesive made of dimethacrylate copolymer and clay particles in different concentrations. The samples were prepared by light curing and were evaluated by XRD, FTIR and TGA as well as by measuring flexural strength, elasticity modulus and tensile resistance. The XRD and the mechanical test results indicated that the system with 0.2% clay is exfoliated, while the highest concentrations showed the agglomeration of these clays. FTIR was used to determine the conversion, and showed that use of clays particles are unable to significantly alter the polymerization until 1.0%. However, for the group containing 1.5%, there was a decline in this index. In the thermogravimetric analysis, only the groups with 0.2% of clays showed increased thermal resistance. In conclusion, the incorporation of clay at 0.2% concentration produces a well-dispersed system and can be applied as a dental adhesive.

To evaluate the effect of combining Norrish type I and II photoinitiators on the cure efficiency of dental resin-based composites. Experimental composites were produced containing different photoinitiator systems: Norrish type I-only, mono-alkyl phosphine oxide (TPO); Norrish type II-only, camphorquinone (CQ); or its combination, CQ and TPO, in a 1: 1 molar ratio. UV-vis absorption spectrophotometry was performed to assess the consumption of each photoinitiator after curing (n=3). A multi-wave LED (Bluephase® G2, Ivoclar Vivadent) was pre-characterized and used with a radiant exposure of 24 J/cm2. The degree of conversion was evaluated by Raman spectrometry, and the elution of the monomers by nuclear magnetic resonance analysis (n=3). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05; β=0.2). The combination of CQ and TPO increased the consumption of the photoinitiator system compared to CQ-only (p=0.001), but presented similar consumption compared to TPO-only (p=0.52). There was no significant difference in the degree of conversion between the composites regardless of the photoinitiator system (p=0.81). However, the elution of the monomers was reduced when both photoinitiators were combined. TPO-based material presented the highest elution of monomers. The combination of the photoinitiator systems seems to be beneficial for the cure efficiency of dental resin-based composites.