Graphene‐Oxide‐Decorated Microporous Polyetheretherketone with Superior Antibacterial Capability and In Vitro Osteogenesis for Orthopedic Implant

Abstract

Due to its similar elastic modulus of human bones, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has been considered as an excellent cytocompatible material. However, the bioinertness, poor osteoconduction, and weak antibacterial activity of PEEK limit its wide applications in clinics. In this study, a facile strategy is developed to prepare graphene oxide (GO) modified sulfonated polyetheretherketone (SPEEK) (GO-SPEEK) through a simple dip-coating method. After detailed characterization, it is found that the GO closely deposits on the surface of PEEK, which is attributed to the π-π stacking interaction between PEEK and GO. Antibacterial tests reveal that the GO-SPEEK exhibits excellent suppression toward Escherichia coli. In vitro cell attachment, growth, differentiation, alkaline phosphatase activity, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses, and calcium mineral deposition all illustrate that the GO-SPEEK substrate can significantly accelerate the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of osteoblast-like MG-63 cells compared with those on PEEK and SPEEK groups. These results suggest that the GO-SPEEK has an improved antibacterial activity and cytocompatibility in vitro, showing that the developed GO-SPEEK has a great potential as the bioactive implant material in bone tissue engineering.

Surface Modification Strategies to Improve the Osseointegration of Poly(etheretherketone) and Its Composites

“…Physically adsorbed coatings have been applied to PEEK through a variety of methods, including dip coating, poly(dopamine) (PDA) mussel‐like adhesion, layer‐by‐layer (LbL) assembly of polyelectrolyte multilayer films, and the adsorption of proteins or drugs . LbL film deposition has been used to change the surface chemistry of PEEK by adsorbing new functional groups to its surface as the molecules used to build the films contain charged functional groups.…”

From Dermal Patch to Implants—Applications of Biocomposites in Living Tissues

“…Even though PEEK presents mechanical properties closer to those found in bone, applications of this synthetic polymer is still limited due to its bioinertness [38]. To overcome these limitations, Ouyang et al [39] developed a biocomposite composed of PEEK and graphene oxide. Graphene oxide contains an abundance of hydroxyl, carboxylic and epoxide functional groups, creating reactive sites for functionalization which has the potential to enhance osteogenic differentiation of stem cells [40].…”

“…Graphene oxide contains an abundance of hydroxyl, carboxylic and epoxide functional groups, creating reactive sites for functionalization which has the potential to enhance osteogenic differentiation of stem cells [40]. Therefore, Ouyang et al [39] developed graphene oxide self-assemblies on micro/nanoporous PEEK, illustrated in Figure 3a. The introduction of porosity into the PEEK structure has been shown to enhance the interaction with bone, promoting ingrowth of tissues into the material.…”

“…Nanohydroxyapatite and glycol chitosan [10] Hydroxyapatite and polymeric blend (fibroin, chitosan and agarose) [11] Calcium silicate, zinc silicate and graphene oxide [15] Collagen, silk fibroin and dECM [26] Boron nitride and boron trioxide [28] Nanohydroxyapatite, calcium sulfate and bioactive molecules [32] Orthopedic Implants PEEK and graphene oxide [39] CFRPEEK, nanohydroxyapatite, carboxymethyl, chitosan and bone forming peptide [41] Polyphenylene sulfide and nanohydroxyapatite [42] Polyimide and tantalum pentaoxide [43] Hydroxyapatite, ceria nanoparticles and silver nanoparticles [44] Wound Healing Polycaprolactone and gelatin [54] Chitosan, polyethylene oxide and fibrinogen [57] Collagen, alginate and silver nanoparticles [60] Polyurethane, keratin and silver nanoparticles [63] Collagen and dextran [65] Tissue Engineering Fibrin, alginate and genipin [68] PEDOT, chitosan and gelatin [70] Polycaprolactone, silk fibroin and carbon nanotubes [71] Silk fibroin and melanin [78] Polycaprolactone and collagen [82] Gelatin, alginate and fibrinogen [88] Collagen type I and gelatin methacryloyl [89] Author Contributions: Conceptualization, K.P.V., A.B., and A.S.; writing-original draft preparation, K.P.V. ; writing-review and editing, K.P.V., A.B., and A.S.; supervision, A.B.…”

“…Applications of Biocomposites to Orthopedic/Dental Implants: (a) Schematic illustration of fabrication process of graphene oxide-polyetheretherketone (PEEK) scaffolds. Reproduced with permission from Reference[39]. (b) Schematic illustration of preparation of peptide-decorated carbon reinforced PEEK (CFRPEEK) /nanohydroxyapatite biocomposite and its in vivo osseointegration.…”