Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), particularly its sulfonated
form (SPEEK),
has emerged as a promising synthetic biomaterial for artificial bone
implants, providing an alternative to conventional titanium metal.
However, postoperative infections pose a critical challenge, driven
by diverse and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. To address this issue,
we propose the modification of the SPEEK surface using a thin graphene
oxide (GO) film containing silver (Ag) ions. The resulting coating
exhibits substantial antibacterial effects against various pathogens,
including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Candida albicans. Experimental assessments elucidate
the coating’s impact on bacterial adhesion, biofilm formation,
and morphology. The results suggest that hindered bacterial growth
stems from reduced biofilm production and the controlled release of
Ag ions facilitated by the GO coating. The Ag/GO-SPEEK material holds
promise as a bioactive implant, addressing the challenges associated
with bacterial targeting in bone tissue engineering applications.