Polyelectrolyte‐Functionalized NanoMOFs for Highly Efficient Aqueous Lubrication and Sustained Drug Release

Abstract

AbstractThis study demonstrates the hybridization of polyelectrolyte brushes with anti‐inflammatory drug‐loaded nanoMOFs that can achieve highly efficient aqueous lubrication and sustained drug release for the synergistic therapy of osteoarthritis (OA). Poly(3‐sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium salt) (PSPMK) brushes are grown on the surface of the UiO‐66‐NH2 via one‐pot grafting polymerization, which served as a general surface modification method of NH2‐MOFs to grow the polymer brushes. The growth of the PSPMK brushes greatly enhance the stability, dispersity, and swollen property of the AS‐UiO‐66‐NH2@PSPMK in aqueous media. Using as lubricating additives, the UiO‐66‐NH2@PSPMK achieves not only reductions in both coefficient of friction and wear volume over 70% and 99% but also supports high load‐carrying capacity and long‐term durability. The PSPMK brushes can be served as an universal interfacial modification soft layer that can significantly improve the aqueous lubricating performance of other types of NH2‐MOFs. After encapsulating the anti‐inflammatory aspirin (AS), the AS‐UiO‐66‐NH2@PSPMK shows both sustained drug release and good biocompatibility toward the human normal chondrocytes. This work establishes anti‐inflammatory drug‐loaded UiO‐66‐NH2@PSPMK as a potential multifunctional joint lubricant for OA treatment.