Biocompatible Sulphonated PEEK Spheres: Influence of Processing Conditions on Morphology and Swelling Behavior

Abstract

This work aimed to develop and evaluate the influence of processing variables on the morphology and swelling of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) spheres for possible applications as a biomaterial. We used the drip method to obtain spheres with the polymer starting solutions SPEEK-6 (w/v: 6%) and SPEEK-10 (w/v: 10%), drip rates (20 and 30 mL/h), and drip heights (5 and 10 cm) in experimental planning. The samples were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), optical microscopy (OM), the absorption capacity of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) by swelling (%), and statistical analysis of data through Design of Experiments (DOE). The obtained results evidenced that the processing variables influenced the morphology and swelling. Spheres with a bigger concentration of the polymer solution presented a greater degree of sulfonation (DS). We verified that the diameter of the spheres was directly related to the variable height and the sphericity was associated with the speed and viscosity of the solution. Bigger and more pores in a greater amount were observed in the spheres with a greater DS, influencing the behavior of the swelling in PBS. The better variable combinations with a high DS, regular sphericity, a smaller diameter, and greater swelling were the samples S2-10-20-5 e S10-10-20-5. The cytotoxicity indicated that the best samples obtained in the experimental planning (S2-10-20-5 and S10-10-20-5) were not toxic. In that regard, the evaluated spheres presented cell viability and swelling capacity, suggesting their possible applications as biomaterials.

Effect of Surface Modification of PEEK Artificial Phalanx by 3D Printing on its Biological Activity

“…Dos Santos et al treated a PEEK surface with piranha solution to promote bioactivation of the PEEK surface [16]. In this study, we focused on sulfonation treatment, which was also considered to be an effective approach to improve osseointegration of the bone-PEEK interface [17][18][19]. Sulfonation can not only introduce charged sulfonate (-SO 3 -) groups into the main chain of the polymerization to increase the hydrophilicity of PEEK, but also the sulfonic polymer scaffold can increase the non-specific interaction between the scaffold and glycocalyx molecules on the outer membrane of the cell, thus enhancing the proliferation and adhesion of osteoblasts [20][21][22][23][24].…”