Synovial fluid-inspired biomimetic lubricating microspheres: Zwitterionic polyelectrolyte brushes-grafted microgels

Abstract

Synovial fluid is made up of various biomacromolecules, including hyaluronic acid, aggrecans, lubricins, and phosphatidylcholine lipid, which are assembled onto the surface of articular cartilage in a gel state. Among them, brush-like biomacromolecules or assemblies have a vital effect on human joint lubrication. Inspired by this, the combination of brush-like molecular structures and gel-like assembly may be an efficient approach for the synthesis of biomimetic lubricating matters. Learning from the lubrication system of human joints, poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC) brushes grafted poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (poly(NIPAAm-co-AA)) microgels, abbreviated as MBs-g-MGs, were synthesized as one kind of biomimetic lubricating additives.