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In this study, the synthesis of Co/Al hydrotalcite (layered double hydroxides: LDHs) using insoluble Al[(OH).sub.3] by a hydrothermal method is described. The syntheses were conducted under various conditions. The as-prepared Co/Al-C[O.sub.3.sup.2-]-LDH was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The tribological properties of the products were evaluated in base oil using four-ball and Plint friction testers. The LDH thus synthesized displays perfect hexagonal platelike morphology having a disk diameter in the range of 0.2-1.5 µm with a thickness of 40 nm. The addition of the product Co/Al-C[O.sub.3.sup.2-]-LDH, as an additive to the base oil, significantly reduces the friction coefficient (22.3%) and wear (26.1%) compared to base oil alone. The morphology and chemistry of the worn surface were characterized by SEM, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. The results show that the structural distortion of LDH induced by mechanochemical processes during friction consumes the friction force between the rubbed surfaces, and as a result, the friction and the wear is reduced. Thus, our results show that the LDH sheets absorbed on the worn surface can prevent direct contact between the friction pairs (surfaces) and decreases the roughness of the worn surface. Key words: Co/Al hydrotalcites, antifriction, tribochemistry, X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES). La presente etude decrit la synthese d'hydrotalcite de Co/Al (hydroxydes doubles lamellaires ou HDL) a l'aide d'Al[(OH).sub.3] insoluble par methode hydrothermale. Les syntheses ont ete realisees dans diverses conditions. Les Co/Al-C[O.sub.3.sup.2-]-HDL ainsi prepares ont ete caracterises par diffractometrie de rayons X (DRX) et microscopie electronique a balayage (MEB). Les proprietes tribologiques des produits ont ete etudiees dans de l'huile de base a l'aide de bancs d'essai de frottement a quatre billes et de tribometres Plint. Les HDL ainsi synthetises presentent une morphologie hexagonale parfaite en plaque dont le diametre de disque est compris entre 0,2 et 1,5 µm et l'epaisseur egale a 40 nm. L'ajout du produit Co/Al-C[O.sub.3.sup.2-]-HDL, comme additif a l'huile de base, reduit considerablement le coefficient de frottement (22,3%) et l'usure (26,1%), par rapport a l'huile de base seule. La morphologie et la chimie de la surface usee ont ete caracterisees par MEB, microscopie a force atomique (MFA) et spectroscopie de structure pres du front d'absorption de rayons X. Les resultats montrent que la distorsion structurale des HDL provoquee par les processus mecanochimiques ayant lieu lors des frottements reduit la force de frottement presente entre les surfaces enduites, ce qui entraine une diminution du frottement et de l'usure. Nos resultats demontrent ainsi que les feuilles d'HDL absorbees sur la surface usee peuvent empecher les paires de frottement (surface) d'etre en contact et reduisent la rugosite de la surface usee. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: hydrotalcites de Co/Al, antifriction, tribochimie, spectroscopie de structure pres du front d'absorption de rayons X., Introduction Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are a class of layered anionic clays having the general formula of [[M.sub.(1-x).sup.2+][M.sub.x.sup.3+][(OH).sub.2]][([A.sup.n-]).sub.x/n] x z[H.sub.2]O, where [M.sup.2+] (Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, etc.) [...]

Purpose. The stress shielding effect caused due to the mechanical mismatch between the solid titanium and the surrounding bone tissue warrants the utilization of a mechanically and biologically compatible material such as the titanium-hydroxyapatite (Ti-HA) functionally graded material (FGM) for dental implants. This study is aimed at fabricating a Ti-HA FGM with superior mechanical and biological properties for dental implantation. Materials and Methods. We fabricated a Ti-HA FGM with different Ti volume fractions (VFs) using HA and Ti powders. Ti-HA was characterized by studying its mechanical properties. Cytotoxicity was examined using a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and an LDH cell cytotoxicity assay. Scanning electron microscopy was performed on an XL30 environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and transforming growth factor (TGF-β1) expressions were quantitatively monitored using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The expressions of TGF-β receptors and ALP genes were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The Ti-HA FGM dental implants were placed in beagle dogs. Microcomputed tomography (CT) and hard tissue slices were performed to evaluate the bone-implant contact (BIC) and bone volume over total volume (BV/TV). Results. The density and mechanical properties of the Ti-HA exhibited various graded distributions corresponding to VF. Based on the results of the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays, the difference in cytotoxicity between the two groups was statistically nonsignificant (P = 0.11). The ALP and TGF-β1 levels were slightly upregulated. The transcript levels of ALP and TGF-βRI were higher in the Ti-HA groups than in the Ti group at 7 days, whereas the transcript levels of TGF-βRII exhibited no obvious increase. The BIC did not exhibit significant differences between the Ti and Ti-HA FGM groups (P = 0.0504). BV/TV showed the Ti-HA FGM group had better osteogenesis (P = 0.04). Conclusion. Ti-HA FGM contributes to the osteogenesis of dental implants in vivo and in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Abstract Total joint replacement is currently the most successful clinical treatment for improving the life quality of individuals afflicted with end-stage osteoarthritis of knee or hip joints. However, release of wear and corrosion products from the prostheses is a critical issue causing adverse physiological responses of local issues. β-SiC nanoparticles were dispersed into polyetheretherketone (PEEK) materials and their role in tribocorrosion performance of PEEK-steel joints exposed to simulated body fluid was investigated. It is demonstrated that β-SiC nanoparticles increase greatly the wear resistance of the PEEK materials, and meanwhile mitigate significantly corrosion of the steel counterpart. It is revealed that tribochemical reactions of β-SiC nanoparticles promoted formation of a robust tribofilm having complex structures providing protection and shielding effects. The present work proposes a strategy for developing high-performance polymer-on-metal joint replacement materials of enhanced lifespan and biocompatibility via tuning interface nanostructures. Statement of Significance Adverse tissue responses to metal wear and corrosion products from metal base implants remain a challenge to surgeons and patients. We demonstrated that leaching of metal ions and release of metallic debris are well decreased via tuning interface nanostructures of metal-polymer joint bearings by dispersing β-SiC nanoparticles into polyetheretherketone (PEEK). It is identified that the addition of β-SiC greatly improves the tribological performances of the PEEK materials and mitigated corrosion of the steel. Tribo-chemistry reactions of SiC induce the formation of complex structures which provide protection and shielding effects. Nanostructures of the tribofilm were also comprehensively investigated. These novel findings proposed a potential route for designing high performance metal-polymer joint replacement materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antigorite is a Mg-rich 1:1 trioctahedral-structured layered silicate mineral. In recent decades, many studies have been devoted to investigating the tribological performance and application of antigorite as lubrication materials. This article provides an overview of the mineralogy, thermal decomposition and surface modifications of antigorite powders, as well as the recent advancement that has been achieved in using antigorite to reduce friction and wear of friction pairs. The tribological performance of antigorite powders and its calcined product in different lubricating media, such as oil, grease and solid composites have been comprehensively reviewed. The physico-chemical characteristics of surface layers of the friction pairs are discussed. Applications and mechanisms of lubricity and anti-wear of antigorite are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel nanocomposite was prepared by uniformly dispersing synthesized solvent-free ionic SiO 2 nanofluids (NFs) into epoxy resin (EP). Tribological performance of SiO 2 NFs/EP composites were investigated when rubbing against bearing steel under base oil lubrication conditions. The results demonstrate that the addition of even low-loading SiO 2 NFs greatly improves the tribological performance of EP. It is disclosed that a nanostructured tribofilm grows on the steel surface when sliding against the EP nanocomposite filled with SiO 2 NFs. Comprehensive analyses of tribofilms' nanostructures suggest that tribofilm growth is fed by the molecular species released from the EP nanocomposite. Formation of the load-bearing tribofilm is surmised essential for the enhanced tribological performance of the EP nanocomposite. This work paves a good formulation route for developing high-performance tribo-composites subjected to harsh lubrication conditions. • A novel nanocomposite was prepared by uniformly dispersing solvent-free ionic SiO 2 nanofluids (NFs) into epoxy resin (EP). • Adding even small amount of SiO 2 NFs greatly improves the tribological performance of EP materials. • A protective tribofilm grew in-situ when the molecular species of nanocomposite are fed continuously onto the contact zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Silica NFs exhibit excellent lubricity and remarkable stimuli responsiveness to an external electric field. • Lubricity and electrical responsiveness of the NFs are closely dependent on the corona structure. • A protective tribofilm grew in-situ when NFs are fed continuously onto the contact zone. Solvent-free ionic nanofluids (NFs) are promising smart lubrication materials due to their remarkable stimuli responsiveness to an external electric field. In this study, four kinds of silica (SiO 2) NFs with diverse corona molecule structures were successfully synthesized. Effects of NFs' structures on their physic-chemical properties and lubricity were investigated. In particular, nanostructures of the tribofilms were comprehensively characterized for shedding light on lubricating mechanisms of the NFs. Our results demonstrate that the newly synthesized NFs exhibit excellent lubrication performance and their lubricity displays remarkable electrical responsiveness. Applying even a rather low electrical potential, e.g. 1.5 V, gives rise to significant and immediate friction reduction. Moreover, lubricity and electrical responsiveness of the NFs are closely dependent on structures of the corona layers. Interestingly, our work provides direct evidence that feeding NFs onto the friction zone expedites growth of a robust tribofilm consisting mainly of SiO 2 nanoparticles and tribochemical products. This work opens up new opportunities for tuning structures and functionalities of boundary layers of numerous motion components by tailoring architectures of NFs and controlling the electrical stimuli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corneal decellularization represents a promising alternative source of human donor with global shortage. Multiple methods have been developed for the preparation of decellularized porcine corneal stroma. However, most strategies relied on long-time treatment to facilitate the entry of detergents or nucleases, which may cause irreversible ultrastructural damage. Here, we developed a rapid decellularization method for porcine corneal stroma through the combined mild detergent sodium N-lauroyl glutamate (SLG) and supernuclease. Compared with traditional methods, the novel decellularization method allowed the efficient removal of xenoantigen DNA within 3 h, while retaining the ultrastructure, transparency, and mechanical properties of porcine corneas. When transplanted in rabbit model for 1 month, the decellularized porcine corneal grafts presented favorable transparency and biocompatibility without immune rejection. Therefore, the combined use of detergent SLG and supernuclease may serve as a promising method for the clinical use of decellularized porcine cornea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]