Nanoparticle interactions with swollen polymer networks

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Hydrogels are soft polymer networks that take on striking amounts of water, making them highly porous to molecules-similarly to liquid water-but with solid-like mechanical properties. They are used in a vast range of domestic and industrial applications, including food, cosmetics, medicine, agriculture, and enhanced oil recovery. While hydrogel properties are often tailored to specific applications via polymer chemistry, another approach is to modify the microstructure using nanoparticles, thus forming ``hydrogel nano-composites''. The motivation may be to reduce costs, particularly for large-scale industrial applications, or to achieve very specific properties for niche applications. However, nanoparticle doping brings with it a plethora of new practical and fundamental scientific challenges. These arise from the complicated and poorly understood manner in which nanoparticles interact with cross-linked polymer networks. The proposed research will tackle several fundamental scientific challenges-using theoretical, computational, and experimental methodologies-that will help to address important industrial and societal questions arising from nanoparticle use in hydrogel technologies. Envisioned is a ``diagnostic toolbox''-featuring electroacoustic, dielectric and rheological spectroscopy-and a nanoparticle assay to unambiguously quantify how nanoparticles interact with hydrogel networks. The mechanistic insights required to develop and apply this platform-in advanced-materials, environmental, and human-health fields-will be sought in the next five years by integrating (i) experimental model systems, (ii) novel applications of elactro-acoustic, dielectric and rheological spectroscopy, (iii) continuum-scale computation, and (iv) molecular-scale simulation. This program of research will generate fundamental knowledge to strengthen Canada's advanced materials and bio-technology industries, provide rigorous scientific input on nanoparticle release, transport and human-health concerns, and empower a new generation of engineers with expert knowledge and practical expertise for industrial and academic leadership.