Structural, optical and antifungal properties of the PMMA-ZnO nanocomposites: Potential applications in odontology

PMMA-ZnO nanocomposites were synthesized with different percent weight compositions of as synthesized ZnO nanoparticles (2%, 2.5%, 3.5%. 4.5% and 5% w/w). Further their structural and optical properties were investigated using XRD, SEM and UV–vis spectrophotometer. No significant peak of ZnO crystalline phase in all the samples of PMMA-ZnO nanocomposites was observed in XRD study which refers the complete dispersion of it within the solution and confirms the formation of nanocomposites. However, UV–vis spectroscopy study shows an intense absorbtion at wavelength 377 nm in all samples of PMMA-ZnO nanocomposites of various weight percent compositions and its absorbance increases with increase in the percent weight composition of nanofiller in the nanocomposites which attributes the presence of ZnO nanoparticles. FESEM study reveals the uniform distribution of ZnO nanoparticles with average particle size 25 nm throughout the PMMA matrix. The EDX spectra of PMMA-ZnO nanocomposites demonstrate the presence of ZnO NPs in the nanocomposites. The antifungal efficacies of the newly developed materials were evaluated in details both quantitatively and qualitatively by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and zone of inhibition methods against four different Candida species. PMMA-ZnO nanocomposites show the highest antifungal activity at percent weight compositions of ZnO NPs in the range of 3.5%–4.5% while no significant antifungal activity was observed in the nanocomposite samples at lower weight percent compositions of ZnO NPs in the range of 0.3%–1.5%. ZnO nanofillers incorporated PMMA nanocomposites improves its antifungal efficacy significantly against various Candida species, suggesting it a smart denture base material to combat denture stomatitis like diseases. [Display omitted] •ZnO nanoparticles incorporated PMMA nanocomposites as denture base materials to combat denture stomatitis.•Complete dispersion of ZnO nanoparticles within the PMMA matrix.•Uniform distribution of ZnO nanoparticles throughout the PMMA matrix with average particle size 25 nm.•The EDX spectra demonstrate the presence of ZnO NPs in the PMMA-ZnO nanocomposites.