Graphene enhanced and in situ-formed alginate hydrogels for reducing friction and wear of polymers

Abstract

Alginates are natural unbranched polysaccharide and have been extensively investigated because of their biocompatibility and superior gel-forming properties. However, the tribology functions of alginate hydrogels still remain largely unexplored. Here, we develop a facile method for reducing friction and wear between polymer-metal friction pairs. The using of gluconic acid-δ-lactone (GDL) is important to regulate gelation time and induce complete, uniform gelation of alginates by in situ release Ca2+. After the addition of graphene, the friction coefficient and wear volume decline with ratios of 37 % and 50 %, respectively. The effective isolation of friction pairs and the release of water molecule owning to the self-decomposition of alginate hydrogels together contribute to reduce friction and wear.