Dual-network nanocomposite robust hydrogel with excellent durability properties as cartilage replacement

As bionic lubricating material, hydrogel could not have both lubrication performance and mechanical strength. The sparse cross-linked network hinders the practical application of hydrogel in places where long service life and high load capacity are required. Here we proposed a method of combining dual networks with nano-enhancement to prepare high-strength lubricating Polyvinyl alcohol/polyacrylic acid/Graphene oxide (PVA/PAA/GO) hydrogel by annealing treatment. increasing the network density of the hydrogel enhances the mechanical properties and reduces the permeability. Hydration lubrication, excellent mechanical properties and synovial fluid pressurization enable the hydrogel to maintain outstanding lubrication under high contact pressure after 500,000 cycles. The wear-reducing and wear-resistant properties of hydrogel indicate excellent tribological properties, and the hydrogel expected to become replacement material for artificial joints.