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Development of PVA Hydrogels with Superior Lubricity for Artificial Cartilage

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Rheology of Biological Soft Matter

Part of the book series: Soft and Biological Matter ((SOBIMA))

Abstract

Physically cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) gels are versatile biomaterials with their excellent biocompatibility and mechanical strength. Since the late 1970s, the semicrystalline PVA gels prepared by a freeze-thawing method (FT gel) have been extensively studied in characterizing the structural and functional properties for practical applications, such as artificial hydrogel cartilage. Recently, a simple preparation method for a physically cross-linked PVA gel by a cast-drying method (CD gel) was reported. Although the network nanostructures are similar, CD gels are transparent and elastic, while FT gels are opaque and less elastic. The crystallization conditions of these systems have been investigated; the gels become highly swollen and rigid by the selection of optimum preparation conditions. In this chapter, the mechanical properties of FT and CD gels, such as tearing energy, sliding friction, and abrasion loss, are reviewed in connection with the nano- and microstructures of physical PVA gels. The tribological properties of FT and CD gels are compared with that of natural cartilage. Based on experimental results, simple preparation methods to improve the mechanical and lubrication properties of physically cross-linked PVA gels are presented, and the mechanism of superior lubricity in newly developed PVA gels for artificial hydrogel cartilage is discussed.

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Acknowledgement

The author would like to thank Kuraray Co., Ltd. for supplying PVA powders. This work was supported by the Grant-in-Aid for Specially Promoted Research of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Kaken: 23000011).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Science & Research Institute of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University, 79-7 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama, 240-8501, Japan

    Atsushi Suzuki

  2. Research Center for Advanced Biomechanics, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan

    Saori Sasaki & Teruo Murakami

Authors
  1. Atsushi Suzuki
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  2. Saori Sasaki
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  3. Teruo Murakami
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Correspondence to Atsushi Suzuki .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food Science and Wellness, Rakuno Gakuen University, Ebetsu, Hokkaido, Japan

    Isamu Kaneda

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Suzuki, A., Sasaki, S., Murakami, T. (2017). Development of PVA Hydrogels with Superior Lubricity for Artificial Cartilage. In: Kaneda, I. (eds) Rheology of Biological Soft Matter. Soft and Biological Matter. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-56080-7_13

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