Antibacterial Characteristic of Impregnated-Activated-Zeolite/Alumina/Glass-Ionomer-Cement Composites

In this present paper, we introduce the beneficial use of Indonesian activated natural zeolite, precisely from Malang area, for a potential restorative material after combined with alumina and glass ionomer cement. The activated zeolite was previously impregnated by copper (II) chloride prior to prepare the composites of impregnated-activated-zeolite/alumina/glassionomer-cement composites. The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) test results support the X-ray diffraction (XRD) data in revealing the crystalline phase contents. The composites comprise of mordenite, sanidine, quartz, orthoferrosilite, and tolbachite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photographs dictate the uniform CuCl₂ impregnation to the activated zeolite. The CuCl₂ impregnation, moreover the addition of alumina crystalline powder and GIC polymer, increase the density of activated zeolite. Finally, the impregnated-activated-zeolite/alumina/glassionomer-cement composites exhibit acceptable mechanical and antibacterial characteristics for dental restorative implants. (paper)