Publication result detail

Toward Cartilage-Mimicking Biomaterials: Biotribological, Biochemical and Structural Evaluation of pHEMA and PVA-Based Hydrogels

David Nečas, Daniel Němeček, Jan Gregora, David Rebenda, Zuzana Kadlecová, Ivana Chamradová, Monika Trudičová, Pavel Čípek, Petr Čípek, Ladislav Šnajdárek, Lucy Vojtová, Martin Vrbka, Ivan Křupka, Martin Hartl

Original Title

Toward Cartilage-Mimicking Biomaterials: Biotribological, Biochemical and Structural Evaluation of pHEMA and PVA-Based Hydrogels

English Title

Toward Cartilage-Mimicking Biomaterials: Biotribological, Biochemical and Structural Evaluation of pHEMA and PVA-Based Hydrogels

Type

WoS Article

Original Abstract

This study compares the biotribological and structural behavior of PVA and pHEMA hydrogels under conditions simulating the cartilage environment to understand the lubrication mechanisms. PVA samples exhibited very low apparent friction coefficients and high-water uptake due to their hydrophilic, hydroxyl-rich network. In contrast, pHEMA hydrogels showed higher friction but substantially enhanced wear resistance, particularly under extended sliding against rough counterfaces. While PVA offers excellent lubrication performance, its wear stability remains limited. On the other hand, the low wear observed in pHEMA-despite its higher friction-suggests strong structural resilience, making it a promising platform for further tailoring toward cartilage-mimicking applications. The results highlight the importance of balancing interfacial lubrication and mechanical durability when designing hydrogel-based cartilage replacements.

English abstract

This study compares the biotribological and structural behavior of PVA and pHEMA hydrogels under conditions simulating the cartilage environment to understand the lubrication mechanisms. PVA samples exhibited very low apparent friction coefficients and high-water uptake due to their hydrophilic, hydroxyl-rich network. In contrast, pHEMA hydrogels showed higher friction but substantially enhanced wear resistance, particularly under extended sliding against rough counterfaces. While PVA offers excellent lubrication performance, its wear stability remains limited. On the other hand, the low wear observed in pHEMA-despite its higher friction-suggests strong structural resilience, making it a promising platform for further tailoring toward cartilage-mimicking applications. The results highlight the importance of balancing interfacial lubrication and mechanical durability when designing hydrogel-based cartilage replacements.

Keywords

Absorption; Friction; Hydrogels; Lubrication; Wear

Key words in English

Absorption; Friction; Hydrogels; Lubrication; Wear

Authors

David Nečas, Daniel Němeček, Jan Gregora, David Rebenda, Zuzana Kadlecová, Ivana Chamradová, Monika Trudičová, Pavel Čípek, Petr Čípek, Ladislav Šnajdárek, Lucy Vojtová, Martin Vrbka, Ivan Křupka, Martin Hartl

RIV year

2026

Released

08.12.2025

Publisher

American Chemical Society

Periodical

ACS Omega

Volume

10

Number

51

State

United States of America

Pages from

63441

Pages to

63454

Pages count

14

URL

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c10283

Full text in the Digital Library

http://hdl.handle.net/11012/256433

BibTex

@article{BUT200519,
  author="David {Nečas} and Daniel {Němeček} and Jan {Gregora} and David {Rebenda} and Zuzana {Kadlecová} and Ivana {Chamradová} and Monika {Hegerová} and Pavel {Čípek} and Petr {Čípek} and Ladislav {Šnajdárek} and Lucy {Vojtová} and Martin {Vrbka} and Ivan {Křupka} and Martin {Hartl}",
  title="Toward Cartilage-Mimicking Biomaterials: Biotribological, Biochemical and Structural Evaluation of pHEMA and PVA-Based Hydrogels",
  journal="ACS Omega",
  year="2025",
  volume="10",
  number="51",
  pages="63441--63454",
  doi="10.1021/acsomega.5c10283",
  issn="2470-1343",
  url="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c10283"
}