@article{7f5d3113a9374c7fb8dad03b04ae34ac,
title = "Three-Dimensional Printing of Cytocompatible, Thermally Conductive Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanocomposites",
abstract = "Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is a thermally conductive yet electrically insulating two-dimensional layered nanomaterial that has attracted significant attention as a dielectric for high-performance electronics in addition to playing a central role in thermal management applications. Here, we report a high-content hBN-polymer nanocomposite ink, which can be 3D printed to form mechanically robust, self-supporting constructs. In particular, hBN is dispersed in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and 3D printed at room temperature through an extrusion process to form complex architectures. These constructs can be 3D printed with a composition of up to 60% vol hBN (solids content) while maintaining high mechanical flexibility and stretchability. The presence of hBN within the matrix results in enhanced thermal conductivity (up to 2.1 W K-1 m-1) directly after 3D printing with minimal postprocessing steps, suggesting utility in thermal management applications. Furthermore, the constructs show high levels of cytocompatibility, making them suitable for use in the field of printed bioelectronics.",
keywords = "3D printing, bioelectronics, hexagonal boron nitride, polymer nanocomposite, thermal conductivity",
author = "Guiney, {Linda M.} and Mansukhani, {Nikhita D.} and Jakus, {Adam E.} and Wallace, {Shay G.} and Shah, {Ramille N.} and Hersam, {Mark C.}",
note = "Funding Information: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency under Cooperative Agreement Number DBI-1266377. This work made use of the EPIC Facility of the Northwestern University NUANCE Center, which has received support from the Soft and Hybrid Nanotechnology Experimental (SHyNE) Resource (NSF ECCS-1542205), the MRSEC program (NSF DMR-1720139), the International Institute for Nanotechnology (IIN), the Keck Foundation, and the State of Illinois. Quantification of cells was performed in the Analytical BioNanoTechnology Equipment Core of the Simpson Querrey Institute at Northwestern University. The U.S. Army Research Office, the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, and Northwestern University provided funding to develop this facility, and ongoing support is being received from the Soft and Hybrid Nanotechnology Experimental (SHyNE) Resource (NSF ECCS-1542205). Confocal imaging work was performed at the Northwestern University Center for Advanced Microscopy, which is supported by NCI CCSG P30 CA060553 awarded to the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center. This work was also supported by the McCormick Research Catalyst Award Fund. Additional financial support was provided by Google in the form of a gift. A.E.J. was supported in part by The Hartwell Foundation. The authors also acknowledge Professor Karl Putz from Northwestern University for his help in the interpretation of the mechanical characterization of the 3D printed hBN constructs, and David Lam from Northwestern University for his help with X-ray diffraction analysis of the 3D printed hBN constructs. Publisher Copyright: Copyright {\textcopyright} 2018 American Chemical Society.",
year = "2018",
month = jun,
day = "13",
doi = "10.1021/acs.nanolett.8b00555",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "18",
pages = "3488--3493",
journal = "Nano Letters",
issn = "1530-6984",
publisher = "American Chemical Society",
number = "6",
}