Design and Characterization of the Surface Porous UHMWPE Composite Reinforced by Graphene Oxide.

Xiaohong Chen,Sheng Zhang,Ping Zhu,Gangqiang Zhang,Lin Zhang

doi:10.3390/polym13040482

Abstract

The surface porous ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites were successfully fabricated with NaCl and graphene oxide (GO) in the hot-pressing procedure. The GO sheets were evenly dispersed in UHMWPE with the sedimentation method of GO in saturated NaCl. The morphologies, chemical compositions, mechanical, and tribological properties of GO and surface porous GO/NaCl/UHMWPE were investigated. The results show that GO sheet and NaCl could be evenly dispersed in UHMWPE. The regular pores are present on the surface of UHMWPE after NaCl dissolution in distilled water. The wear resistance properties are improved significantly, and the friction properties increased slightly with the addition of GO and NaCl.

Highlights

Artificial joints are used to replace the malfunctioning bones, enabling thousands of people to enjoy an active lifestyle [1]
Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is the most common material used for the artificial joint bearing component, with the advantage of unique characteristics and favorable properties, such as biocompatibility, chemical stability, high wear resistance, and low friction, [2,3]
The low tribological properties of UHMWPE activate osteolysis and aseptic loosening, which lead to artificial joint replacement failure [4]

Summary

Introduction

Artificial joints are used to replace the malfunctioning bones, enabling thousands of people to enjoy an active lifestyle [1]. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is the most common material used for the artificial joint bearing component, with the advantage of unique characteristics and favorable properties, such as biocompatibility, chemical stability, high wear resistance, and low friction, [2,3]. The low tribological properties of UHMWPE activate osteolysis and aseptic loosening, which lead to artificial joint replacement failure [4]. The polymer tribological properties can be improved by introducing filler materials to the polymer structure, resulting in mechanics modification [5,6]. Articular cartilage with porous structure has the advantage to provide human joints with excellent bearing capacity, bio-friction, and wear resistance performance [7]. Porous UHMWPE simulating as closely as possible the porous articular cartilage is a promising composite polymer used for various implant materials [8,9]. Maksimkin et al [10]

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Results

Conclusion