Modification of surface structure of confined hydrogels by variation of copolymer content (by Alex Deptula)
Bulk characterization reveals the mechanisms underlying microstructural changes, supporting that this is due to the balance between electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding in the surface-grafted hydrogels, a decrease in osmotically active charges and ordering of the polymer network.
These structural changes are shown to directly affect tribological and mechanical properties. Lateral force measurements show that the microphase separations leads to speed and load-dependent lubrication regimes as well as spatial variation of friction.
