Natural joints have the hierarchical structure of bone and cartilage, providing excellent lubrication and load-carrying capacity. In our research, the hierarchical structure artificial joints of Poly Acrylic Acid (PAA)- Poly Acrylamide (PAAm) hydrogel coating and Ti6Al4V substrate were formed using a simple yet versatile method by mimicking the hierarchical structure of natural joints. The efficient lubrication at friction interfaces was achieved. The composition and microstructure were confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The hydrogel coatings were successfully prepared on the surface of Ti6Al4V substrate through the adsorption of the charged group. This hierarchical structure material exhibits the lower dynamic friction, approximately 0.085, which is much lower than bare Ti6Al4V, about 0.429. The wear on the surfaces after the tribological experiment is super-shallow and has no significant fracture area around the scratch. The PAA-PAAm hydrogel has a more uniform and compact cross-linked network porous structure, and the porous size is much smaller than PAA hydrogel. The cross-linked network porous structure is the main factor accounting for the low dynamic friction. This hierarchical structure of soft and hard improve the load-carrying ability and has the potential uses in artificial joints.
Deng Yaling,Xu Yu,Ni Xingya,LiYu Wencheng,Wang Yuxin,Yang Zhong
This study investigated the mechanical and tribological properties of branched polyethyleneimine/polyacrylic acid (bPEI/PAA) coatings. (bPEI/PAA) coatings were prepared on Ti6Al4V substrate using layer-by-layer assembly technique. The coatings have good tribological behaviors with the rotating mode under the deionized water. In particular, (bPEI/PAA) 40 has the lowest friction coefficient with the reciprocating mode, about 0.14. The cross-linked network structures were formed with the electrostatic attraction. The amorphous phase of coatings provides a crucial buffer during the loads applying on the surface. The (bPEI/PAA) n coatings have the swelling ability, and there are large decreases of storage modulus and loss modulus in deionized water compared with removing from the deionized water. The excellent tribological properties are ascribed to the cross-linked network structure, amorphous phase, and swelling ability.