Mechanical properties and in vivo study of modified-hydroxyapatite/polyetheretherketone biocomposites

Abstract

Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) has received much attention for its excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. Here, the silane coupling agent KH560 [γ-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)propyltrimethoxysilane] is used for graft modification of bioactive HA (hydroxyapatite) particles and for preparing HA/PEEK composites via a hot-press molding method. The prepared HA/PEEK composites were tested for their mechanical properties with SEM (scanning electron microscopy), infrared spectroscopy, and thermo-analysis. The results show that silane coupling KH-560 modifies HA successfully and that the tensile strengths of HA/PEEK and m-HA/PEEK composites indicate an increasing and then a decreasing tendency with increasing HA contents. The non-modified HA/PEEK composites display the same trend as the modified specimens with lower tensile strength and consist of sharp points. When the HA content is 5wt.%, the tensile strength of m-HA/PEEK composite reaches its maximum, which is 23% higher than that of pure PEEK specimens. The in vivo experiments of m-HA/PEEK used a biomechanical push-out test, SEM, optical microscopy, and an Image-Pro Express C image analysis system. The growth of the bone tissues around the m-HA/PEEK composites with an HA content of 5wt.% is better than that of specimens with different HA contents. This finding shows the nano-scale effect of the bioactive filler HA in PEEK substrates, which obviously contributes to the growth of the surrounding bone issues in vivo. This study could provide theoretical support for the further promotion and application of high-performance engineering plastics such as PEEK in biomedical fields.

Implantable PEKK/tantalum microparticles composite with improved surface performances for regulating cell behaviors, promoting bone formation and osseointegration

“…The layer of fibrous tissues developed between bioinert implants and host bone tissue may be long-term unstable, which may eventually result in the loosening and failure of implants [ 16 ]. Many investigations have been carried to improve the bioactivity of PEEK for promoting bone formation and osteointegration, and these strategies include surface modification with either physical/chemical ways, and composites with bioactive fillers were applied [ 17 , 18 ]. However, these simple surface modification with physical/chemical methods might not be practical to produce implants because of the potential incompatibility with sterilization and cleaning procedures [ 17 , 18 ].…”

Optimizing the Spinal Interbody Implant: Current Advances in Material Modification and Surface Treatment Technologies

“…A recent study by Ma et al had implanted various PEEK and HA-PEEK composite implants (of varying proportions) in rabbit tibias. They found that the HA-PEEK composites had increased push-out forces and interfacial shear strength relative to those of pure PEEK implants; the optimal amount determined by this study was 5 wt.% of HA (relative to higher concentrations of HA) [43] .…”

Preparation of poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(lactic acid)/hydroxyapatite bioactive nanocomposites for fused deposition modeling

“…Figure shows the FTIR spectra of the insoluble part of PLA/mHA compared with mHA and neat PLA. From the FITR curve of mHA, the sharp band observed at ∼3,570 cm −1 is attributed to the OH stretching mode of the OH ‐ ions in the lattice sites of mHA; the broad band at 3,300 cm −1 is attributed to the inner‐adsorbed water; the absorptions at 2,925 and 2,855 cm −1 belong to the CH 2  from KH560, indicating that the KH560 was successfully grafted onto the HA surface ; and the peak at 1,040 cm −1 is the characteristic peak of the group of HA. On the FTIR spectrum of the insoluble part of PLA/mHA, in contrast with the curve of mHA, there were vibration peaks for the CO bond at 1748 cm −1 and a bending peak for the CH 3 group at 1,385 cm −1 , which are characteristic absorption peaks of PLA .…”