Development of Dissipative Particle Dynamics framework for modeling hydrogels with degradable bonds

Controlled degradation of hydrogels enables several applications of these materials, including controlled drug and cell release applications and directed growth of neural networks. These applications motivate the need of a simulation framework for modeling controlled degradation in hydrogels. We develop a Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD) framework for hydrogel degradation. As a model hydrogel, we prepare a network formed by end-linking tetra-arm polyethylene glycol precursors. We model bond breaking during degradation of this hydrogel as a stochastic process. The fraction of degradable bonds follows first order degradation kinetics. We characterize the rate of mass loss during degradation process.