We present results of our work to develop an aqueous 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) liposome coated silk microsphere suspension as an effective lubricant, capable of providing a low coefficient of friction (COF) on the order of 0.02, minimizing surface wear and avoiding degradation even over relatively prolonged cycling conditions. We propose that the lubricating properties of the silk microspheres are a result of an efficient rolling mechanism. The phospholipid coating was added with the intent that inserting a �lubricant� between rolling elements may avoid jams caused by sticking between the rolling elements and motion under the hydration layer would also decrease sliding wear in the slip step of the rolling process. Details of the nanostructure of DOPC liposome-coated silk microspheres, its lubrication properties, and nano-scaled surface wear are characterized using a confocal laser scanning microscope, scanning electron microscope, the universal materials tester and an atomic force microscope. These results may have implications for biomedical applications especially in joint lubrication. With current therapeutic options for improving joint comfort being limited, silk microspheres, which are biocompatible and slowly degradable, especially with appropriate tribological properties, offer an intriguing opportunity.

Lubrication properties of phospholipid liposome coated silk microspheres

247th National Meeting (2014)

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