Extremely low friction coefficient and mechanically robust photonic film towards antibiotic drug release

Abstract

Excessive friction between hydrogels and biological tissue is a major risk factor that can lead to tissue damage and inflammation, limiting their application as biomaterials. Herein, we designed a photonic hydrogel film with an extremely low friction coefficient (COF∼1.71 × 10−3) by embedding free linear polyacrylamide (PAAm) polymer chains within a thermosensitive hydrogel matrix. This photonic hydrogel with brush structure possesses elastic deformation and reversible color change due to its excellent mechanical property. As proof-of-concept, gentamicin sulfate (GS) was selected as model of antibiotic drug, the structural color of material changes during the release of GS. Consequently, the cumulative release amount of the GS can be evaluated by measuring the reflection wavelength. These features make our strategy potentially useful in preparation of materials with low COF and extending the application of photonic hydrogels, including ocular drug delivery and monitoring systems, as well as articular tissue-mechanical sensors.