Role of Nanomechanical Properties in the Tribological Performance of Phospholipid Biomimetic Surfaces

The role of phospholipid bilayers in controlling and reducing frictional forces between biological surfaces is investigated by three complementary experiments: friction forces are measured using a homemade tribometer, mechanical resistance to indentation is measured by AFM, and lipid bilayer degrada...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Langmuir 2008-08, Vol.24 (16), p.8765-8771
Main Authors: Trunfio-Sfarghiu, Ana-Maria, Berthier, Yves, Meurisse, Marie-Helene, Rieu, Jean-Paul
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological Interfaces: Biocolloids, Biomolecular and Biomimetic Materials
Biomechanical Phenomena
Biomechanics
Biomimetic Materials - chemistry
Chemistry
Colloidal state and disperse state
Exact sciences and technology
General and physical chemistry
Mechanics
Membranes
Micelles. Thin films
Microscopy, Atomic Force
Nanostructures - chemistry
Phosphatidylcholines - chemistry
Physics
Surface physical chemistry
Surface Properties
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Summary:The role of phospholipid bilayers in controlling and reducing frictional forces between biological surfaces is investigated by three complementary experiments: friction forces are measured using a homemade tribometer, mechanical resistance to indentation is measured by AFM, and lipid bilayer degradation is controlled in situ during friction testing using fluorescence microscopy. DPPC lipid bilayers in the solid phase generate friction coefficients as low as 0.002 (comparable to that found for cartilage) that are stable through time. DOPC bilayers formed by the vesicle fusion method or the adsorption of mixed micelles generate higher friction coefficients. These coefficients increased through time, during which the bilayers degraded. The friction coefficient is correlated with the force needed to penetrate the bilayer with the AFM tip. With only one bilayer in the contact region, the friction increased to a similar value of about 0.08 for the DPPC and DOPC. Our study therefore shows that good mechanical stability of the bilayers is essential and suggests that the low friction coefficient is ensured by the hydration layers between adjacent lipid bilayers.
ISSN:0743-7463
1520-5827
DOI:10.1021/la8005234