Issue

Vol. 18 (2026)

Biomimetic Gradient Lubrication Hydrogel Contrived by Self-Reinforced MOFs Nanoparticle Network

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-02001-x
Desheng Liu
State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, People’s Republic of China
Yixian Wang
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory Incubation Base for Green, Processing of Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, People’s Republic of China
Changcheng Bai
State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, People’s Republic of China
Danli Hu
State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, People’s Republic of China
Xingxing Yang
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory Incubation Base for Green, Processing of Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, People’s Republic of China
Yaozhong Lu
State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, People’s Republic of China
Tao Wu
State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, People’s Republic of China
Fei Zhai
Shandong Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Green Manufacturing at Yantai, Yantai Zhongke Research Institute of Advanced Materials and Green Chemical Engineering, Yantai 264006, People’s Republic of China
Pan Jiang
State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, People’s Republic of China
Xiaolong Wang
State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, People’s Republic of China
Weimin Liu
State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Xiaolong Wang

wangxl@licp.cas.cn

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 18 (2026), Article Number: 150

Abstract

The development of gradient lubrication materials is critical for numerous biomedical applications, particularly in magnifying mechanical properties and service longevity. Herein, we present an innovative approach to fabricate biomimetic gradient lubrication hydrogel through the synergistic integration of three-dimensional (3D) printed metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) nanoparticle network hydrogel skeletons with bio-inspired lubrication design. Specifically, robust hydrogel skeletons were engineered through single or multi-material 3D printing, followed by the in situ growth of MOFs nanoparticles within this hydrogel network to create a reinforced, load-bearing architecture. Subsequently, biomimetic lubrication capability was enabled by mechanically coupling another lubricating hydrogel within 3D-printed MOFs nanoparticle network hydrogel skeleton. The superficial layer is highly lubricious to ensure low coefficient of friction (~ 0.1141) and wear resistance (40,000 cycles), while the deeper layer is stiffer to afford the obligatory mechanical support (fracture strength ~ 2.50 MPa). Furthermore, the gradient architecture stiffness of the hydrogel can be modulated by manipulating the spatial distribution of MOFs within the 3D-printed hydrogel skeleton. As a proof-of-concept, biomimetic gradient hydrogel meniscus structures with C- and O-shaped configurations were constructed by leveraging multi-material 3D printing, demonstrating exceptional lubrication performance. This innovative biomimetic design opens new avenues for creating implantable biomedical gradient lubricating materials with reinforced mechanical and lubrication performance.


Highlights:
1 Self-reinforced network of metal-organic frameworks nanoparticles significantly improved the mechanical strength and durability of the hydrogel.
2 Biomimetic lubricating hydrogels with architectural and compositional gradients enabled by multi-material 3D printing.
3 Slippery hydrogel meniscus substitutes with complicated gradient structures and reliable cushioning layers were manufactured.

Keywords

Biomimetic gradient architecture DIW 3D printing Lubricating hydrogel MOFs nanoparticle network Slippery meniscus
Liu, Desheng, Yixian Wang, Changcheng Bai, Danli Hu, Xingxing Yang, Yaozhong Lu, Tao Wu, Fei Zhai, Pan Jiang, Xiaolong Wang, and Weimin Liu. 2026. “Biomimetic Gradient Lubrication Hydrogel Contrived by Self-Reinforced MOFs Nanoparticle Network”. Nano-Micro Letters 18 (January):150. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-02001-x.
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