This study systematically described ZnO quantum Ds, Santa Barbara amorphous 15 type (SBA-15), and the resulting hybrid fillers (SBA-15@ZnO quantum Ds), using a variety of analytical techniques to confirm the successful formation of the hybrid system. Subsequently, dental composites containing 5–13 wt% of SBA-15@ZnO quantum dots were fabricated, and their bending and compressive properties as well as paste fluidity were evaluated. The Gaussian process regression (GPR) model was applied to determine the optimal filler content for maximizing mechanical properties. Based on this optimization, the next stage of the study will assess the antibacterial activity and biocompatibility of the dental composites under the optimal hybrid filler loading. Overall, this strategy provides a promising path for developing advanced multifunctional dental materials with antibacterial properties and optimized mechanical performance. This research was published in Advanced Materials under the title "Zinc oxide quantum dot-coated mesoporous silica as hybrid fillers for high-performance dental composites: characterization and mechanical optimization".
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DOI: 10.1007/s42114-026-01723-9