One-pot synthesis and lubricity of fluorescent carbon dots applied on PCL-PEG-PCL hydrogel

J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. 2018 Sep;29(13):1549-1565. doi: 10.1080/09205063.2018.1470736. Epub 2018 Jun 12.

Abstract

This work presents a method for one-pot synthesis of N-doped nanometer-size carbon dots, which can be assembled with thermosensitive poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL-PEG-PCL, PCEC) hydrogel to achieve slow-release lubricity. The typical property of this green production was studied by fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The photoluminescence of composite PCEC/CDs hydrogel and its released solutions were characterized by ultraviolet spectrum, and the rheological properties were tested by rotary rheometer. Tribological performance of the released solution from composite PCEC/CDs hydrogel was obtained to compare with PBS and pure CDs solution. The experimental results reveal that the CDs contain the chemical groups of N-H, C-OH/C-O-C and -COOH, etc. In addition, the diameter of the CDs is in the range of 6~8 nm. The phase transition behavior of PCEC/CDs hydrogel can be still kept and its viscoelasticity hydrogel is improved by approximatively 7%. Furthermore, friction coefficient of the released solution from composite PCEC/CDs hydrogel decreases by about 70% than that of PBS. Besides, the wear condition can be improved by a lubricating transfer film formed by released CDs. This novel strategy for slow-release application is valuable for drug delivery and bio-tribology.

Keywords: Lubrication; carbon dot; friction and wear; hydrogel; release.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemical synthesis
  • Carbon / chemistry*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Hydrogels / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Phase Transition
  • Polyesters / chemistry*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*
  • Quantum Dots / chemistry*
  • Rheology / methods
  • Surface Properties
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Hydrogels
  • Polyesters
  • poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-b-poly(ethyleneglycol)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone)
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Carbon