In this study, we have innovatively proposed a method for surface modification of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) artificial joint materials with graphene oxide (GO) infiltrated into UHMWPE substrate by ultrasonic induction. The mechanical properties of UHMWPE nanocomposites with GO infiltrated by ultrasonic induction were compared with that of GO mixed. The molecular structure, wettability, peak load, and bio-tribological behavior of GO/UHMWPE nanocomposites were studied using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, contact angle measuring instrument, electronic universal material testing machine, tribometer, and profilometer, respectively. The results show that the ultrasonic-induction method can make GO adhere to UHMWPE surface well, and GO can significantly improve the wettability of UHMWPE substrate. When the ultrasound-inducted time is up to 12 hr, the wetting angle of the nanocomposites (12 h-GO/UHMWPE) is reduced to 65.24°, which is 20.51% lower than that of the pure UHMWPE. The peak load is 183 N, which is 20.22% higher than that of GO/UHMWPE prepared by the mixing method. The bio-tribological property of UHMWPE nanocomposites with GO infiltrated by ultrasonic induction for 12 hr (12 h-GO/UHMWPE) is the best, and its friction coefficient keeps more stable at a value of 0.0605 under the lubrication of calf serum, which is 11.81% lower than that of UHMWPE mixed with GO by a traditional method, and the wear rate is decreased to 3.25 × 10-5 mm3 N-1 m-1 .
Keywords: bio-tribological behaviors; graphene oxide; ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; ultrasound induction.
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