This paper demonstrates that macroporous hydrogels, filled with mobile polymer chains, markedly reduce friction. We fabricate a macroporous hydrogel by freeze and thaw, soak the macroporous hydrogel in an aqueous solution of mobile polymer chains, and slide the polymer-filled macroporous hydrogel against glass. The polymer-filled macroporous hydrogel reduces friction compared to a neat hydrogel with or without mobile polymer chains, and to a macroporous hydrogel with water (no mobile polymer chains). Furthermore, the polymer-filled macroporous hydrogel maintains low friction after long-time sliding. The polymer-filled macroporous hydrogel mimics a division of labor between the pores and mobile polymers in a synovial joint. Both the mobile polymer chains and the macropores contribute to low friction.

本文证明，填充有可移动聚合物链的大孔水凝胶可显着降低摩擦。我们通过冷冻和融化来制造大孔水凝胶，将大孔水凝胶浸泡在可移动聚合物链的水溶液中，然后将填充聚合物的大孔水凝胶紧贴玻璃。与具有或不具有活动聚合物链的纯净水凝胶以及与水（没有活动聚合物链）的纯净水凝胶相比，填充聚合物的大孔水凝胶可减少摩擦。此外，填充聚合物的大孔水凝胶在长时间滑动后仍保持低摩擦。填充聚合物的大孔水凝胶模拟滑膜关节中孔和活动聚合物之间的分工。活动聚合物链和大孔都有助于降低摩擦。