One-step synthesis of uniform double-shelled polystyrene/poly(o-toluidine) composite hollow spheres.

Uniform double-shelled polystyrene/poly(o-toluidine) (PS/POT) composite hollow spheres with tunable shell thickness of the POT layer have been successfully synthesized by a simple method. POT was directly coated onto the surface of negatively charged PS template spheres, which were synthesized by soap-free emulsion polymerization. Surprisingly, the resultant spheres show a double-shelled hollow structure with PS as an inner wall and POT as an exterior shell. In comparison to conventional methods, the benefits of this route are that neither organic solvents nor high-temperature calcinations were used to remove the PS template. The surface morphology, the shell thickness, and the compositions of the double-shelled spheres were systematically characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. On the basis of our interpretation of experimental results, a mechanism for the formation of the double-shelled PS/POT composite hollow spheres is proposed.

Evaluation of the in vitro biocompatibility of PMMA/high-load HA/carbon nanostructures bone cement formulations.

Although commercially-available poly(methyl methacrylate) bone cement is widely used in total joint replacements, it has many shortcomings, a major one being that it does not osseointegrate with the contiguous structures. We report on the in vitro evaluation of the biocompatibility of modified formulations of the cement in which a high loading of hydroxyapatite (67 wt/wt%), an extra amount of benzoyl peroxide, and either 0.1 wt/wt% functionalized carbon nanotubes or 0.5 wt/wt% graphene oxide was added to the cement powder and an extra amount of dimethyl-p-toluidiene was added to the cement's liquid monomer. This evaluation was done using mouse L929 fibroblasts and human Saos-2 osteoblasts. For each combination of cement formulation and cell type, there was high cell viability, low apoptosis, and extensive spread on disc surfaces. Thus, these two cement formulations may have potential for use in the clinical setting.

Nanostructured hydroxyapatite as filler for methacrylate-based root canal sealers.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of different concentrations of nanostructured hydroxyapatite on the radiopacity, flow and film thickness of an experimental root canal sealer. METHODOLOGY: An experimental dual-cured root canal sealer was produced with a methacrylate-based co-monomer blend. Nanostructured hydroxyapatite/calcium tungstate solutions (ratios 10:90, 20:80, 30:70 and 40:60) were added to produce the sealer. Radiopacity was evaluated using a digital system and an aluminium step wedge (n=5). Flow and thickness tests were conducted in accordance with ISO 6876 (n=3). The data were analysed using one-way anova and Tukey's test (α=0.05). RESULTS: All groups had levels of radiopacity in accordance with ISO 6876. The flow of the experimental sealers was not significantly different (P=0.204). All groups had a film thickness in accordance with ISO 6876 and with no statistical difference (P = 0.654). CONCLUSION: The addition of up to 40% HA(nano) to root canal sealers did not alter their radiopacity and film thickness.

Effect of flexural strength of orthodontic resin cement on bond strength of metal brackets to enamel surfaces.

Three types of experimental resin cements with different curing systems, dual, light, and chemical, were designed. The relationship between the flexural strengths of the three experimental and five commercial (Beauty Ortho Bond, Transbond™ XT, Light Cure Bond, Kurasper® F, and Super Bond) orthodontic resin cements on the tensile bond strength (TBS) and shear bond strength (SBS) of metal brackets to enamel was determined. Seven specimen bars of each resin were prepared for measuring the flexural strengths of the resins. Bonded specimens of each resin were prepared, seven for measuring TBS and seven SBS for after bonding of a metal bracket to a maxillary central human labial anterior tooth using experimental and commercial resin cements. The results were analysed by one-way analysis of variance and Scheffé's multiple comparison tests. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05. Increases in the flexural strength of the resin cements were related to increases in the TBS and SBS of the metal bracket. While the light-curing cements exhibited a strong linear correlation between flexural strengths and TBS or SBS, the dual- and chemical-curing cements exhibited a different flexural strength effect on both TBS and SBS. This was a result of the adhesive layer under the metal bracket, which could be chemically cured, in contrast to the light-curing cement. To control setting time and to obtain higher initial TBS and SBS by polymerizing the resin cement under the bracket, a dual-curing system, that combines both light- and chemical-curing systems, is essential.

Micro-perforated elastomeric poly(dimethylsiloxane) mask fabricated using high-aspect-ratio micro-pillar arrays for spatially defined surface modification: an unconventional method for establishing a microarray platform.

Herein, we introduce the fabrication of a micro-perforated elastomeric poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) mask and employ it for spatially defined surface modification. To fabricate the micro-perforated PDMS mask, high-aspect-ratio micro-pillar arrays having millimeter scale height were first fabricated via direct photopolymerization using a thiol-ene-based UV-curable adhesive. Square pillars (500 x 500 microm) and 200 microm circular pillars with 5 and 12.5 in the aspect ratios, respectively, were successfully fabricated with high pattern fidelity, reaching 2.5 mm in height. Next, using the micro-pillar-array platform as a master mold, PDMS prepolymer was cast and polymerized to form an elastomeric PDMS mask having micro-perforation arrays. Alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces were successfully obtained by oxidizing PDMS-covered Si wafer with corona discharge. Spatially defined chemical functionalities obtained by selective oxidation and subsequent silanization were clearly distinguished via colorimetric detection methods employing ninhydrin and toluidine reagents. The micro-perforated elastomeric PDMS mask enables selective modification of a surface without utilizing photoreactive chemicals and a photomask.

Use of polyurethane foam and 3-hydroxy-7,8-benzo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline for determination of nitrite by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and colorimetry.

Polyurethane foam (PUF) has been suggested as a solid polymeric reagent for determination of nitrite. The determination is based on the diazotization of end toluidine groups of PUF with nitrite in acidic medium followed by coupling of polymeric diazonium cation with 3-hydroxy-7,8-benzo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline. The intensely colored polymeric azodye formed in this reaction can be used as a convenient analytic form for the determination of nitrite by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (c (min) = 0.7 ng mL(-1)). The possibility of using a desktop scanner, digital camera, and computer data processing for the numerical evaluation of the color intensity of the polymeric azodye has been investigated. A scanner and digital camera can be used for determination of nitrite with the same sensitivity and reproducibility as with diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The approach developed was applied for determination of nitrite in river water and human exhaled breath condensate.

Synthesis and characterization of cyclic acetal based degradable hydrogels.

While many synthetic, hydrolytically degradable hydrogels have been developed for biomedical applications, there are only a few examples whose polymer backbone does not form acidic products upon degradation. In order to address this concern, we proposed to develop a hydrogel based on a cyclic acetal unit that produces diols and propanals upon hydrolytic degradation. In particular, we proposed the fabrication of hydrogels formed by the free radical polymerization of two diacrylate monomers, 5-ethyl-5-(hydroxymethyl)-beta,beta-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-2-ethanol diacrylate (EHD), a cyclic acetal having two acryl groups, and poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate (PEGDA). However, the hydrophobicity of the EHD monomer inhibits hydrogel fabrication. Therefore this work develops a strategy to form hydrogels with a co-monomer system, one of which is hydrophobic, and subsequently describes the properties of the resulting hydrogel. Using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator and N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine as an accelerator, the EHD and PEGDA monomers were reacted in an acetone/water co-solvent system. The chemical structure of the resulting EH-PEG [5-ethyl-5-(hydroxymethyl)-beta,beta-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-2-ethanol-co-PEG] hydrogel was then characterized by FT-IR. Physicochemical properties of the EH-PEG hydrogel, including swelling degree, sol fraction, and contact angle, were determined so as to characterize the properties of these materials and ultimately investigate their use in drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. Results showed that EH-PEG hydrogel may be formed using the co-solvent system. Further results indicated that swelling degree is dependent upon initiator concentration, monomer concentration, and molar ratios of monomers, while sol fraction significantly depended on initiator concentration and monomer concentration, only. These results demonstrate the ability to fabricate hydrogels using EHD and PEGDA system as well as to control the properties of the resulting hydrophilic networks.

Controlled release of herbicide acetochlor from clay/carboxylmethylcellulose gel formulations.

Controlled-release formulations of the herbicide acetochlor were prepared by using carboxylmethylcellulose (CMC) gel and different types of clay, which were obtained by acid activation, pillared with metal hydroxides, or saturated with organic cations. The effect of formulation parameters (amount and type of clay used, cross-linking time, and drying of the hydrogel formulations) on the acetochlor release rate from different formulations was evaluated by water-release studies. The time taken for 50% of acetochlor to be released, t 50, showed a wide variation (151-522 h) for dried gel formulations, the largest value corresponding to the formulation incorporating aluminum hydroxide pillared clay into CMC gels. The release rate of acetochlor from clay/CMC hydrogel formulations decreased with the increase of the hydrogels' cross-linking time (t50 values ranged from 2.18 to 14.0 h for cross-linking times ranging from 2.0 to 120 min). The performance of inorganic clays in dried gel formulations on slowing the release of acetochlor is related to their sorption capacities, but the addition of organic clay did not lead to the slowest release despite its highest sorption capacity. According to the parameters of an empirical equation used to fit herbicide-release data, the release of acetochlor from clay/CMC gel formulations is controlled by diffusion mechanism.

Percutaneous absorption of aromatic amines - a contribution for human health risk assessment.

Several aromatic amines (AA) are human carcinogens. AA are widely-used, e.g., in the rubber industry. The uptake of AA at the workplace occurs by inhalation and percutaneous absorption. At present there are no risk assessment studies for percutaneous AA absorption using occupationally relevant concentrations. We conducted diffusion cell experiments for aniline (ANI), o-toluidine (OT), 4,4'-methylenedianiline (MDA) and N-phenyl-2-naphthylamine (PBNA). Excised human skin was exposed to different AA concentrations in vehicles containing water and solvents. Recovery for ANI in receptor fluid was about 20-38% and for MDA 15% over 24h. PBNA could not be detected in the receptor fluid. Further data for OT and beta-naphthylamine (BNA) were considered from our recent study. A semi-quantitative percutaneous absorption ranking for AA was derived: BNA>OT>ANI>MDA>PBNA. For aqueous ANI solutions up to saturation a linear relationship of exposed dose and penetrated amount was observed. However, a linear extrapolation of the flux of neat compounds, as often recommended for risk assessment policies, underestimates considerably the percutaneous uptake. The in vitro data support our recent findings in rubber industry workers that the percutaneous absorption may significantly contribute to overall exposure of AA.

Influence of the activator in an acrylic bone cement on an array of cement properties.

In all but one of the acrylic bone cement brands used in cemented arthroplasties, N,N-dimethyl-4-toluidine (DMPT) serves as the activator of the polymerization reaction. However, many concerns have been raised about this activator, all related to its toxicity. Thus, various workers have assessed a number of alternative activators, with two examples being N,N-dimethylamino-4-benzyl laurate (DMAL) and N,N-dimethylamino-4-benzyl oleate (DMAO). The results of limited characterization of cements that contain DMAL or DMAO have been reported in the literature. The present work is a comprehensive comparison of cements that contain one of these three activators, in which the values of a large array of their properties were determined. These properties range from the setting time and maximum exotherm temperature of the curing cement to the variation of the loss elastic modulus of the cured cement with frequency of the applied indenting force in dynamic nanoindentation tests. The present results, taken in conjunction with those presented in previous reports by the present authors and co-workers on other properties of these cements, indicate that both DMAL and DMPT are suitable alternatives to DMPT.

Self-assembly directed synthesis of poly(ortho-toluidine)-metal(gold and palladium) composite nanospheres.

Poly(ortho-toluidine) (POT)-gold (Au) and palladium (Pd) composite nanospheres were successfully synthesized by the reaction of o-toluidine with the corresponding metal (Au or Pd) colloidal solution through self-assembly process in the presence of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA), which acts as both a dopant and surfactant, and ammonium peroxydisulfate as an oxidizing agent. The composites (POT-DBSA/Au or Pd) were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, and electrical conductivity measurements. TEM images of the nanocomposites reveal that metal (Au or Pd) nanoparticles were well dispersed on POT spheres. TGA and XRD results show that the composites exhibit high thermal stability and are more crystalline compared with pristine POT. It was found that the electrical conductivity of the POT-DBSA/Au or Pd composites is 2 orders of magnitude higher than that of pristine polymer. Also, the POT-DBSA/Pd composite exhibits magnetic property. The formation mechanism of the POT-DBSA/Au or Pd composite nanosphere is discussed.

Nonlinear studies of Pararosanilin dye in liquid and solid media.

Solid-state dye-doped polymers are attractive alternative to the conventional liquid dye solutions. In this paper, nonlinear properties of the dye Pararosanilin has been studied. The third-order nonlinear optical properties of Pararosanilin dye in 1-butanol and dye-doped polymer film were measured by the Z-scan technique using 532 nm diode pumped Nd:Yag laser. This material exhibits negative optical nonlinearity. The dye at 0.4 mM concentration exhibited nonlinear refractive coefficient (n(2) = -6.8 x 10(-8) and -7.11 x 10(-8) (cm(2)/W) in liquid and solid media, respectively), nonlinear absorption coefficient (beta = -7.7 x 10(-4) and -7.93 x 10(-4)cm/W in liquid and solid media, respectively) and susceptibility (chi((3))=3.38 x 10(-6) and 3.53 x 10(-5)esu in liquid and solid media, respectively). These results show that Pararosanilin dye has potential applications in nonlinear optics.

Novel self-healing dental resin with microcapsules of polymerizable triethylene glycol dimethacrylate and N,N-dihydroxyethyl-p-toluidine.

OBJECTIVE: Bulk fracture is one of the primary reasons for resin-based dental restoration failures. To date, there has been no report on the use of polymerizable dental monomers with acceptable biocompatibility to develop a resin with substantial self-healing capability. The objectives of this study were to: (1) develop a self-healing resin containing microcapsules with triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA)-N,N-dihydroxyethyl-p-toluidine (DHEPT) healing liquid in poly(urea-formaldehyde) (PUF) shells for the first time, and (2) determine the physical and mechanical properties, self-healing efficiency, and fibroblast cytotoxicity. METHODS: Microcapsules of polymerizable TEGDMA-DHEPT in PUF were prepared via an in situ polymerization method. Microcapsules were added into a BisGMA-TEGDMA resin at microcapsule mass fractions of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. A flexural test was used to measure composite strength and elastic modulus. A single edge V-notched beam method was used to measure fracture toughness KIC and self-healing efficiency. RESULTS: Flexural strength and elastic modulus (mean±sd; n=6) of resin containing 5-15% microcapsules were similar to control without microcapsules (p>0.1). Adding microcapsules into the resin increased the virgin KIC, which was about 40% higher at 15% microcapsules than that with 0% microcapsules (p<0.05). Specimens were fractured and healed, then fractured again to measure the healed KIC. A self-healing efficiency of about 65% in KIC recovery was obtained with 10-20% microcapsules. All specimens with 0-20% microcapsules had fibroblast viability similar to control without resin eluents (p>0.1). SIGNIFICANCE: Self-healing dental resin containing microcapsules with polymerizable TEGDMA-DHEPT healing liquid in PUF shells were prepared for the first time with excellent self-healing capability. These microcapsules and self-healing resins containing them may be promising for dental restorations to heal cracks/damage and increase durability.

Effects of water-aging on self-healing dental composite containing microcapsules.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to develop a self-healing dental composite containing poly(urea-formaldehyde) (PUF) shells with triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) and N,N-dihydroxyethyl-p-toluidine (DHEPT) as healing liquid, and to investigate the mechanical properties of the composite and its self-healing efficacy after water-aging for 6 months. METHODS: PUF microspheres were synthesized encapsulating a TEGDMA-DHEPT healing liquid. Composite containing 30% of a resin matrix and 70% of glass fillers by mass was incorporated with 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% of microcapsules. A flexural test was used to measure flexural strength and elastic modulus. A single edge V-notched beam method was used to measure fracture toughness (KIC) and self-healing efficacy. Specimens were water-aged at 37 °C for 1 day to 6 months and then tested for self-healing. Fractured specimens were healed while being immersed in water to examine self-healing efficacy, in comparison with that in air. RESULTS: Incorporation of up to 7.5% of microcapsules into the resin composite achieved effective self-healing, without adverse effects on the virgin mechanical properties of the composite (p>0.1). An excellent self-healing efficacy of 64-77% recovery was obtained (mean±sd; n=6). Six months of water-aging did not decrease the self-healing efficacy compared to 1 day (p>0.1). Exposure to water did not decrease the healing efficacy, compared to that healed in air (p>0.1). CONCLUSIONS: A composite was developed with excellent self-healing efficacy even while being immersed in water. The self-healing efficacy did not decrease with increasing water-aging time for 6 months. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The novel self-healing composite may be promising for dental applications to heal cracks, resist fracture, and increase the durability and longevity.

Novel electrospun nanofibrous matrices prepared from poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate) blends for controlled release formulations of an anti-rheumatoid agent.

In the present work, a series of novel formulations consisting of poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate) (PLA/PBAd) electrospun blends was examined as controlled release matrices for Leflunomide's active metabolite, Teriflunomide (TFL). The mixtures were prepared using different ratios of PLA and PBAd in order to produce nanofibrous matrices with different characteristics. Miscibility studies of the blended polymeric fibers were performed through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Hydrolytic degradation in the prepared fibers was evaluated at 37°C using a phosphate buffered saline solution. Different concentrations of (TFL) (5, 10, 15wt.%) were incorporated into nanofibers for examining the drug release behavior in simulated body fluids (SBF), at 37°C. The drug-loaded nanofibrous formulations were further characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy, DSC and XRD. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis was used to evaluate the mechanism of TFL release. Artificial neural networks (ANN) and multi-linear-regression (MLR) models were used to evaluate the effect of % content of PBAd (X1) and TFL (X2) on an initial burst effect and a dissolution behavior. It was found that PLA/PBAd nanofibers have different diameters depending on the ratio of used polyesters and added drug. TFL was incorporated in an amorphous form inside the polymeric nanofibers. In vitro release studies reveal that a drug release behavior is correlated with the size of the nanofibers, drug loading and matrix degradation after a specific time. ANN dissolution modeling showed increased correlation efficacy compared to MLR.

The effect of antioxidants on oxidative DNA damage induced by visible-light-irradiated camphorquinone/N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine.

Previous investigations have found that visible-light (VL)-irradiated camphorquinone (CQ), in the presence of a tertiary amine (e.g., N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine, DMT), generates reactive oxygen species and causes oxidative DNA damage in vitro. In this study, oxidative DNA damage produced by VL-irradiated CQ/DMT, in the presence and absence of antioxidants (glutathione, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), mannitol, vitamin C, and vitamin E), was measured by the conversion of PhiX-174 RF I supercoiled (SC) double-stranded plasmid DNA into open and linear forms. VL-irradiated CQ/DMT, lacking antioxidant, damaged 99.4 +/- 1% of the PhiX-174 RF I SC double-stranded plasmid DNA. Our results revealed that glutathione (10.0, 5.0, 2.5, 1.0, and 0.5 mm) and NAC (10.0, 5.0, and 2.5 mm) significantly (p < 0.02) reduced oxidative DNA damage produced by VL-irradiated CQ/DMT. Vitamin E, vitamin C, and mannitol were ineffective at reducing oxidative DNA damage produced by VL-irradiated CQ/DMT. Furthermore, vitamin E (10.0 and 5.0 mm) and vitamin C (10.0, 5.0, 2.5, 1.0, 0.5 mm) treatment significantly (p < 0.02) enhanced VL-irradiated CQ/DMT-induced oxidative DNA damage and caused significant (p < 0.001) DNA damage following VL-irradiation in the absence of CQ/DMT. As a result, future studies should evaluate whether glutathione and NAC effectively reduce or prevent oxidative damage induced by VL-irradiated CQ/DMT in vivo.

Self-curing, self-etching adhesive cement systems.

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of the acid-base reaction between acidic monomers and amines on the polymerization behavior of self-etching, self-curing adhesives, determine the effect of the application mode on the shear bond strength and morphology, and elucidate the adhesion performance of such systems by shear bond strength measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The amine redox-initiator system N,N-di(2-hydroxyethyl)p-toluene (DEPT)/dibenzoyl peroxide (BPO) was selected to investigate the influence of the amine-base reaction on polymerization behavior. The PKa value of DEPT hydrochloride was measured by titration with NaOH. The influence of the pH value and DEPT concentration on the polymerization rate of methacrylates was investigated by exotherm time measurements. Three different application protocols of Multilink Primer (Ivoclar Vivadent) and Panavia 21 ED-Primer (Kuraray) were tested, 15 s passive vs 15 s agitation vs 60 s passive in combination with the corresponding resin luting material. The effects of these three application protocols were evaluated and monitored by both shear bond strength tests and SEM characterization of the surface morphology. The adhesion potential of these self-etching, self-curing luting systems was compared on enamel and dentin both directly after application and after 24 h. RESULTS: The pKa of DEPT-HCl is 4.45. The polymerization rate of the DEPT-containing, self-etching, self-curing adhesive system is highly influenced by both the amine concentration and the pH value. In the case of Multilink, agitation of the primer mixture for 15 s, especially on dentin, resulted in a higher bond strength and a more pronounced removal of the smear layer. Multilink resulted in statistically higher bond strengths (p < 0.05) than Panavia 21 for both the enamel and dentin directly after application and for the dentin after 24 h. CONCLUSION: Radical polymerization initiators used in self-curing systems are strongly adversely affected by acidic monomers incorporated in self-etching adhesives. However, if there is a good adjustment of these components and effects of adhesive application are taken in account, high bond strengths can be achieved.

Characterizing 3-chloro-p-toluidine hydrochloride on rough-hulled rice and ethyl-cellulose-coated rice baits using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Methods are developed to extract and quantitate the avicide 3-chloro-p-toluidine hydrochloride (CPT HCl) from rough-hulled rice and ethyl-cellulose-coated rice baits using high-performance liquid chromatography. The mobile phase used in the ethyl-cellulose-coated rice matrix method is an acetonitrile(ACN)-phosphate buffer (60:40) at pH 8, and the rough-hulled rice matrix method uses an CAN-phosphate (70:30) buffer at pH 2. Increased retention time is observed for CPT HCl at the higher pH. The two methods have been useful in characterizing different bait formulations in an ongoing pesticide formulation improvement program.

New aspects of the effect of size and size distribution on the setting parameters and mechanical properties of acrylic bone cements.

The effect of the size and the size distribution of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) beads on the classical kinetic parameters, peak temperature and setting time, for acrylic bone cement formulations prepared with PMMA particles in the range 10-60 microns of average diameter and a relatively wide size distribution is analysed. In addition, the combined effects of the concentration of the free radical initiator benzoyl peroxide and the activator N, N-dimethyl-4-toluidine for the different particle sizes are studied and compared with those commercially available formulations like CMW or Rostal. The results obtained indicated that the use of PMMA particles with average diameter of 50-60 microns, and a relatively wide size distribution (10-140 microns diameter), significantly changes the curing parameters (peak temperature and setting time) of the cement formulations in comparison with the classical behaviour of the commercial systems of CMW and Rostal, without any noticeable loss in the mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, elastic moduli, and compressive strength and plastic strain.

Chlorhexidine release from room temperature polymerising methacrylate systems.

A series of different methacrylate monomers (with either 1 or 2.5% dimethyl-p-toluidine, DMPT) was gelled with poly(ethyl methacrylate) powder (containing benzoyl peroxide) thus forming a room temperature curing system. When doped with 5.625% chlorhexidine diacetate the release from the tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate-based samples was considerably greater than that from other methacrylate monomers. This seems to be due to the formation of channels in the polymer. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, of solutions that the samples were immersed in, showed chlorhexidine was indeed being released from the polymer. It also showed that doping the polymer with chlorhexidine hindered the polymerisation, resulting in a higher level of residual monomer and low molecular weight components being leached from the polymer. The DMPT also affected the polymerisation with greater leaching from the 2.5% DMPT sample.