Macromolecular Coatings Enhance the Tribological Performance of Polymer‐Based Lubricants. Issue 16 (7th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Winkeljann, Benjamin; Leipold, Philippe‐Maximilian A.; Lieleg, Oliver
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials interfaces. Volume 6:Issue 16(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-06-07
• Subjects: friction -- hyaluronic acid -- mucin -- wear; Materials science -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/admi.201900366
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2196-7350

Abstract

Abstract: In many biomedical settings, hard surfaces cause friction and wear at interfaces. Surface coatings have been introduced to reduce tribological stress—especially at slow sliding velocities where boundary friction dominates. Here, the ability of coatings generated from differently charged macromolecules, i.e., poly(ethylene glycol) (uncharged), mucin (polyanionic), and poly‐l ‐lysine (polycationic), to synergistically interact with polymer‐based lubricants is studied as they are also present in almost every body fluid. It is demonstrated that, in combination with solutions containing either poly(ethylene glycol) or hyaluronic acid, these surface‐bound macromolecules significantly reduce boundary friction and, in addition, protect the surfaces from wear formation. This is attributed to entanglement effects between surface‐bound and solubilized macromolecules, which are most efficient in the absence of repulsive electrostatic forces. The synergetic effects described here could help optimizing medical devices such as catheters, endotracheal tubes, stents, or contact lenses to reduce patient discomfort and prevent inflammatory reactions arising from tribological stress. Abstract : Macromolecular surface coatings generated by poly(ethylene glycol), manually purified porcine gastric mucins, and poly‐l‐lysine are demonstrated to reduce tribological stress—especially at slow sliding velocities where boundary friction dominates. It is also shown that coatings generated from such macromolecules synergistically interact with polymer‐based lubricants to provide both improved lubricity and wear protection.