Characterization of Heat Conduction Performance in Sodium Polyacrylate Hydrogels with Varying Water Content

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Thermal Engineering

Background:

• Sodium polyacrylate (PAAS) hydrogel is a functional polymer with notable water absorption and thermal stability.
• Its thermal conductivity in various states is not well understood for engineering applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and quantify the thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity of PAAS hydrogel.
• To establish predictive models for thermal properties based on water content.

Main Methods:

• Designed and constructed experimental setups to measure specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity.
• Investigated PAAS hydrogel in liquid, powder, and fluid-structure coupled states.
• Developed predictive models using a composite material parameter model and validated with numerical simulations.

Main Results:

• Thermal conductivity increases with water content up to a point, then decreases, with a maximum 66% enhancement over PAAS powder.
• Specific heat capacity increases exponentially, approaching that of water.
• Predictive models for thermal properties were established and validated.

Conclusions:

• The thermal properties of PAAS hydrogel are tunable via water content.
• The study provides practical models for thermal design of hydrogel-based materials for enhanced heat transfer.