Preparation, mechanical analysis and investigation of swelling behavior of boron nitride reinforced hydrogel polymer composite films

Abstract

This study presents the preparation, hydrogel kinetics, and mechanical analysis of Boron Nitride (BN) reinforced PVA/PVP/PEO‐BN hydrogel composite films using Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), and Polyethylene oxide (PEO) commercial polymers. Dynamic mechanical analysis tests reveal that PVA90PEO5PVP5‐BN composite films exhibit plastic‐viscoelastic behavior under a maximum force of 18 N. The Young's Modulus values for PVA90PEO5PVP5, PVA90PEO5PVP5‐BN%10, and PVA90PEO5PVP5‐BN%20 are 0.22, 0.32, and 0.44 MPa, respectively. The highest % Strain value is observed in PVA90PEO5PVP5‐BN%20, reaching 279.80%. In the hydrogel kinetics study, Schott's and Fickian models are utilized. The regression from the Fickian model is quite low, with exponential diffusion index, n, values lower than 0.5, indicating a classical Fickian water diffusion mechanism. Schott's model provides graphs with significantly higher regression compared to the Fickian model. The results indicate compatibility with the other model and confirm the presence of water‐based diffusion. Equilibrium swelling values (Se, g H2O/g gel) are 6.71, 7.03, and 7.91 for PVA90PEO5PVP5, PVA90PEO5PVP5, PVA90PEO5PVP5‐BN%10, and PVA90PEO5PVP5‐BN%20, respectively. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis results show that the glass transition temperatures, Tg, are 52.37, 60.20, and 63.05°C for PVA90PEO5PVP5, PVA90PEO5PVP5‐BN%10, and PVA90PEO5PVP5‐BN%20, respectively.