Super-Strong Hydrogel Composites Reinforced with PBO Nanofibers for Cartilage Replacement |
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Authors: | Andreia S Oliveira João C Silva Mónica V Loureiro Ana C Marques Nicholas A Kotov Rogério Colaço Ana P Serro |
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Institution: | 1. Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, and Department of Chemical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, Lisbon, 1049-001 Portugal;2. Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences and Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, Lisbon, 1049-001 Portugal;3. Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, Lisbon, 1049-001 Portugal;4. Biointerfaces Institute, Department of Chemical Engineering, and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109 USA;5. Instituto de Engenharia Mecânica and Department of Mechanical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, Lisbon, 1049-001 Portugal;6. Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, and Department of Chemical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, Lisbon, 1049-001 Portugal
Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz, Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz, Quinta da Granja, Monte de Caparica, Caparica, 2829-511 Portugal |
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Abstract: | Cartilage replacement materials exhibiting a set of demanding properties such as high water content, high mechanical stiffness, low friction, and excellent biocompatibility are quite difficult to achieve. Here, poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) (PBO) nanofibers are combined with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to form a super-strong structure with a performance that surpasses the vast majority of previously existing hydrogels. PVA–PBO composites with water contents in the 59–76% range exhibit tensile and compressive moduli reaching 20.3 and 4.5 MPa, respectively, and a coefficient of friction below 0.08. Further, they are biocompatible and support the viability of chondrocytes for 1 week, with significant improvements in cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation compared to PVA. The new composites can be safely sterilized by steam heat or gamma radiation without compromising their integrity and overall performance. In addition, they show potential to be used as local delivery platforms for anti-inflammatory drugs. These attractive features make PVA–PBO composites highly competitive engineered materials with remarkable potential for use in the design of load-bearing tissues. Complementary work has also revealed that these composites will be interesting alternatives in other industrial fields where high thermal and mechanical resistance are essential requirements, or which can take advantage of the pH responsiveness functionality. |
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Keywords: | cartilage replacement poly(p-phenylene-2 6-benzobisoxazole) nanofibers polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels super-strong composite materials |
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