An In Vitro Investigation of UHMWPE Modified with Cu (II) Chelate of Bissalicylaldehyde-Ethylenediamine

Abstract

This article investigates the performance of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) modified with 15 wt% Cu (II) chelate of bissalicylaldehyde-ethylenediamine, a type of Schiff base copper complex that has antibacterium and antitumor activity, as a potential artificial hip joint material. The modified UHMWE demonstrated excellent tribological and biocompatible properties, and a higher wear resistance, a better thermal conductivity and increased deformation resistance as compared to pure UHMWPE.

Keywords:

• Biocompatibility
• Cu (II) chelate of bissalicylaldehyde-ethylenediamine
• tribological characteristics
• UHMWPE

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the NSFC (50575164) for financial support and express their gratitude for partial financial support from a strategic research grant (City U-7001429) of the City University of Hong Kong and partial financial support from a Hubei Funds for Distinguished Young Scientists (2010CDA086).