Effect of in-situ modification of α-alumina nanoparticles on mechanical properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)-based nanocomposites for biomedical applications

In this study, the modification of a-alumina nanoparticles in the presence of methyl methacrylate (MMA) is utilized as an efficient method in order to enhance the compatibility of alpha-Al2O3 nanoparticles with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix. This modification is an efficient method to improve the mechanical properties of PMMA for biomedical applications. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) analysis show that a proper interaction is formed between the modified alpha-Al2O3 nanoparticles and PMMA. Mechanical experiments and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) are utilized to study the physical properties. The results indicate that the tensile strength of PMMA is improved by 11.4% using 2 wt% modified alpha-Al2O3 nanoparticles. Impact strength and hardness are significantly increased by 39.9% and 46.3%, respectively. The content of nanoparticles is more significant compared to injection process parameters on the mechanical properties of modified alpha-Al2O3 nanoparticles-reinforced PMMA nanocomposites based on the analysis of variance (ANOVA) tool of Taguchi approach.