FTIR and Raman study of the structural properties and tribological characteristics of collagen

A collagen solution was added as a joint-lubricating fluid to extend the service life of UHMWPE liners. Adding this solution could effectively increase the adsorption of collagen onto zirconia surfaces, thereby reducing grinding parts (UHMWPE) wear. In this experiment, the thermal denaturation properties of collagen were used to manipulate the structural state of collagen molecules. The resulting structural alterations were observed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which indicated that the molecular structure of collagen changed from a triple-helix structure to a disordered molecular structure due to thermal effects. Collagen adsorption experiments also demonstrated that helical collagen molecules displayed higher rates of adsorption than disordered collagen molecules. Actual wear tests showed that larger quantities of adsorbed collagen led to lower friction coefficients and wear.