Boron Nitride Nanosheets/PNIPAM Hydrogels with Improved Thermo-Responsive Performance

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Thermo-responsive hydrogels are smart materials with potential applications in various fields.
• The slow thermal response rate of conventional hydrogels limits their practical use.
• Enhancing the thermal responsiveness is crucial for expanding hydrogel applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate boron nitride nanosheet-reinforced thermo-responsive hydrogels.
• To investigate the effect of boron nitride nanosheets on the hydrogel's thermal response rate and properties.
• To explore the potential applications of these composite hydrogels in water treatment.

Main Methods:

• In situ polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide in the presence of boron nitride nanosheets.
• Characterization of the thermo-responsive behavior and thermal response rate of the composite hydrogels.
• Evaluation of the hydrogels' ability to absorb and release dyes and oils in aqueous solutions.

Main Results:

• The fabricated hydrogels exhibited excellent thermo-responsiveness.
• Boron nitride nanosheet reinforcement significantly enhanced the thermal response rate compared to pure poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels.
• The composite hydrogels demonstrated controlled movement in aqueous solution upon heating.
• The hydrogels showed tunable hydrophilic/hydrophobic transitions around the lower critical solution temperature (LCST).
• Effective absorption and release of dyes and oils from water were observed.

Conclusions:

• Boron nitride nanosheet-reinforced thermo-responsive hydrogels offer a significant improvement in thermal response rate.
• These composite hydrogels possess tunable properties suitable for water purification and treatment applications.
• The heating-induced movement and selective absorption/release capabilities highlight their potential as advanced smart materials.