Mina Abdolmaleki

Visiting PhD student (FunGlass Center, Trencin, Slovakia)

Bioactive Glass/PEEK Composite Coatings for Enhanced Bioactivity and Antimicrobial Properties on Metal-Alloy Implants

 

Supervisor in Trencin: Dr. Martin Michalek

Supervisor in Erlangen: Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini

This study aims to address critical issues associated with inert metallic implants, such as lack of bioactivity, stress shielding, and infections by applying a bioactive coating using electrophoretic deposition (EPD). The proposed coating is consisting of polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) and bioactive glass particles, expanding from previous research at the FAU Institute of Biomaterials [1]. The selection of this system corresponds to addressing the above-mentioned issues of bioinert metallic implants. The bioactive glass component is responsible for endowing the coating with bioactivity and biocompatibility as well as antimicrobial properties. The PEEK/BGs could offer a proper composite with a suitable Young’s modulus closer to that of bone, preventing stress shielding. Recently, the different coating systems such as silicate BGs/PEEK have been obtained by EPD [1]. In addition, surface functionalization of the coatings with biomolecules, as a second layer, is a method to enhance biological activity [2].

[1]      M. Atiq Ur Rehman, F.E. Bastan, B. Haider, A.R. Boccaccini, Electrophoretic deposition of PEEK/bioactive glass composite coatings for orthopedic implants: A design of experiments (DoE) study, Mater. Des. 130 (2017) 223–230. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATDES.2017.05.045.

[2]      R. Tejido-Rastrilla, S. Ferraris, W.H. Goldmann, A. Grünewald, R. Detsch, G. Baldi, S. Spriano, A.R. Boccaccini, Studies on Cell Compatibility, Antibacterial Behavior, and Zeta Potential of Ag-Containing Polydopamine-Coated Bioactive Glass-Ceramic, Materials (Basel). 12 (2019). https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12030500.