Supramolecular hydrogel-infiltrated ceramics composite coating with combined antibacterial and self-lubricating performance. Issue 48 (27th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ha, Wei; Hou, Guo-Liang; Qin, Wu-Jun; Fu, Xiao-Kang; Zhao, Xiao-Qin; Wei, Xiao-Dong; An, Yu-Long; Shi, Yan-Ping
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 9:Issue 48(2021)
• Page Start: 9852
• Page End: 9862
• Publication Date: 2021-10-27
• Subjects: Materials -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Biomedical materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d1tb01830b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-750X

Abstract

Abstract : A bioinspired composite coating is developed with combined antibacterial and lubricating properties, which shows great potential for artificial joint applications. Abstract : Inspired by the structure and dynamic weeping lubricating mechanism of articular cartilage, a novel composite coating composed of a textured Y2 O3 -stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) ceramics reservoir and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) hybrid supramolecular hydrogel was developed on the basis of a soft/hard combination strategy. The precursor solution including the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-modified AgNPs and α-cyclodextrins (α-CDs) could be infiltrated deep into (50–60 μm) the pores of a textured YSZ ceramics substrate by a vacuum infiltration method, in situ forming a supramolecular hydrogel within the pores through host–guest inclusion between α-CDs and PEG chains distributed onto the surface of AgNPs. The AgNPs hybrid hydrogel showed thixotropic and thermoresponsive gel–sol transition behavior, low cytotoxicity, and excellent drug-loading capacity, as well as significant antibacterial properties. The textured YSZ ceramics not only provided a hard supporting skeleton and stable reservoir to protect the supramolecular hydrogel from destruction under load-bearing or shear condition, but also allowed retaining the stimuli-responsive gel–sol transition property and drug-release capability of the infiltrated hydrogel, endowing the composite coating with excellent antibacterial properties, and self-lubrication and wear-resistance performance. The composite coating in this work brings a new insight into the design of antibacterial and self-lubricating ceramic coatings for artificial joint applications.