Thermal Transport Phenomena in PEGDA-Based Nanocomposite Hydrogels Using Atomistic and Experimental Techniques

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels exhibit good biocompatibility but suffer from poor thermal transport, limiting their use in applications like cartilage replacement and burn therapy.
• Enhancing thermal conductivity is crucial for advancing PEGDA hydrogel applications in tissue engineering and thermal management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the thermal transport properties of PEGDA hydrogels incorporated with boron nitride nanoplatelets (BNNPs).
• To explore the influence of varying BN concentrations and water content on thermal conductivity.
• To elucidate the role of defective boron nitride nanosheets in enhancing interfacial thermal conductance using molecular dynamics simulations.

Main Methods:

• Experimental characterization of thermal conductivity in PEGDA hydrogels with different BN concentrations and water content.
• Atomistic simulations using molecular dynamics to study interfacial thermal conductance.
• Analysis of the effect of defective (bicrystalline) boron nitride nanosheets on thermal transport.

Main Results:

• Incorporation of boron nitride nanoplatelets significantly enhances the thermal conductivity of PEGDA hydrogels.
• The reinforcing effect of BNNPs is more pronounced at lower water content.
• Simulations indicate that defective boron nitride nanosheets are superior reinforcements for thermal transport, irrespective of water content.

Conclusions:

• Defective BNNP-reinforced PEGDA hydrogels demonstrate enhanced thermal conductivity, making them suitable for biomedical applications.
• These materials show promise for treating locally overheating tissues, including cartilage replacement and burn therapy.
• The findings suggest broad utility in tissue engineering, drug delivery, biosensors, and advanced therapeutic applications.