Metal oxide nanoparticles were synthesized from tantalum ethoxide and zirconium isopropoxide and subsequently surface grafted with vinyl silane and silyl methacrylate coupling agents. The nanoparticles were then dispersed into a commercial dental resin, and the composite was photocured into rigid three-point bend and fracture toughness specimens. The optically transparent/translucent cured composites demonstrated strength, toughness, and elastic modulus inferior to the unfilled material. Therefore, modifications in surface functionalization are being made to improve coupling and reduce interparticle associations.
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Furman et al. (2000) studied this question.