Heat-polymerized acrylic resin with and without gold nanoparticles were prepared and subjected to thermal diffusivity testing. Cylindrical test specimens containing an embedded Pt-wire were used to determine heat conductivity and thermal diffusivity of the investigated system over a physiologic temperature range (0 to70 oC) based on the in-stationary heat-wire method. The samples temperatures were regulated by performing all the measurements in aqueous media in a thermostat unit LabTemp- 30190 in order to exclude any convective influences (See Figure 1).Figure 1: Temperature allocation. In A-homogeneous: The temperature is equal in the whole sample, so almost no convection takes place, while in B-inhomogeneous: The temperature is cool above and warmer on the bottom in which the temperature differences lead to conventionThermal diffusivities of the composites were found to be significantly higher than the unmodified acrylic resin. It increases in proportion to the content of gold nanoparticles filler, which suggests great dispersion/distribution of gold nanoparticles throughout the insulating polymer matrix that might have formed a pathway for heat conduction. Gold nanoparticles fillers have a potential as added components in denture bases to provide increased thermal diffusivity. These remarkable increases in the heat transfer characteristic of the acrylic resin base material could lead to more patient satisfaction. [The provided support by KACST through project No. AT-100-29 is acknowledged]

Gold nanoparticles in denture base: Synthesis and influence on polymer's thermal conductivity

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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