The Effect of Tapioca on Morphological and Mechanical Properties of Metakaolin–Zirconia Geopolymer for Dental Restorative Nanocomposite

Composite is one of the direct dental restoration materials, which is consisted of three main components such as matrix, filler, and coupling agent. Metakaolin and zirconia are potential alternatives as dental restoration materials. This study aims to determine the characteristics of synthesized metakaolin–zirconia geopolymer nanocomposite with the addition of tapioca as a template. The study is a pure experimental laboratory investigation. The sample is fabricated by means of both the synthesis of metakaolin, zirconia, alkali activator, chitosan and the addition of tapioca of 0.4% v/v, 0.8% v/v, and 1.6% v/v. Alkali solution consisting of NaOH and Na 2 SiO 3 is used to activate the geopolymerization of me-takaolin. Nanocomposite characteristics with variations of the addition of tapioca template are then evaluated for its hardness and microstructure. Synthesis of metakaolin–zirconia geopolymer nanocomposite with the addition of tapioca template is successful, and it has a mean hardness value, which has met the hardness value used for dental composite restoration and has the best attachment to artificial teeth. The best hardness value is of 51.70 VHN achieved by the