Cationic Modified PVA Hydrogels Provide Low Friction and Excellent Mechanical Properties for Potential Cartilage and Orthopedic Applications

Abstract

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel is a promising candidate for articular cartilage repair yet restrained by its mechanical strength and tribological property. Current work reports a newly designed PVA‐based hydrogel modified by glycerol (g), bacterial cellulose (BC), and a cationic polymer poly (diallyl dimethylammonium chloride) (PDMDAAC), which is a novel cationic strengthening choice. The resultant PVA‐g‐BC‐PDMDAAC hydrogel proves the effectiveness of this modification scheme, with a confined compressive modulus of 19.56 MPa and a friction coefficient of 0.057 at a joint‐equivalent load and low sliding speed. The water content, swelling property, and creep behavior of this hydrogel are also within a cartilage‐mimetic range. The properties of PVA‐based hydrogels before PDMDAAC addition are likewise studied as a cross‐reference. Besides, PDMDAAC‐modified PVA hydrogel realizes ideal mechanical and lubrication properties with a relatively low PVA concentration (10 wt.%) and facile fabrication process, which lays a foundation for mass production and marketization in the future.