Characterizing Mechanical Properties of PEGDA-Silica Hydrogels for Bone Wound Healing

It has been proven that embedding nanoparticles and/or nanowires onto a material enhances its chemical and mechanical properties. Nanoparticles will reinforce hydrogels in a similar manner that rocks, and rebar reinforces cement. This review discusses the mechanical strengthening of the weak, biocompatible, biodegradable material Poly(ethylene) Glycol Diacrylate by embedding Silica (SiO2) nanoparticles at various concentrations. The conditions of the experiments carried will remain constant, such as the Photo initiator concentration, lab equipment, and even a black box was manufactured to isolate the UV light intensity, temperature, and ambient particles. Laboratory compressions will be carried out to provide the strength and modulus of PEGDA and Silica-embedded-PEGDA hydrogels. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images reveal that the porosity of PEGDA is directly proportional to the concentration of solute embedded. FTIR will provide analysis of the chemical bonds active in the scaffold to verify the composition. AFM analysis will be done to provide a morphology representation of the system. Compressive test will allow the analysis on the various stress-strain graph to showcase the optimum concentration. This review presents the compressive and physical properties of Silica-embedded PEGDA to expand on the medical applications for bone wound healing.