Modeling of Polymer–Porous Nanoparticle Interactions for Improved Tissue Sealant Adhesion

Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of porous nanoparticles as effective tissue sealants. Although the adhesion of nanoparticles to wound surfaces is crucial, the cohesion among nanoparticles greatly impacts the overall adhesive performance. To enhance cohesive strength, we proposed integrating porous nanoparticles with polymers, enabling polymer chains to encapsulate or infiltrate the nanoparticle pores. For advancing the development of effective tissue sealants, understanding how polymer chains interact with the porous surfaces of nanoparticles is essential. In this study, we developed a multiscale model to simulate polymer-nanoparticle mixtures and examined how various structural and physical parameters—such as nanoparticle size, surface characteristics, concentration, and polymer molecular weight—affect the adhesion properties of these composites when used as wound sealants.