Zhengxin Zhou

Master student

Fabrication and evaluation of biofunctional coatings on PEEK for bone regeneration

Supervisors: Zhiyan Xu, Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini

Poly(etheretherketone) (PEEK) is a semi-crystalline synthetic polymer approved by the FDA in the late 1980s for orthopedic implants [1]. Its biocompatibility and elastic modulus, comparable to natural bone, make it a promising implant material [2]. However, the bioinert nature of PEEK limits osseointegration and antibacterial performance, hindering its clinical application. Surface modifications, such as coatings, are essential to improve PEEK surface bioactivity. Mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGNs) are widely recognized for their bioactivity and ability to bond to hard tissue, while the ions released from the BG structure enhance specific cellular pathways [3]. Their unique features, including a large specific surface area and adjustable pore structure, make them suitable carriers for delivering drugs and biologically active ions [4], such as Ca and Ce ions. In this study, Ce-MBGNs are surface-modified and incorporated into collagen as composite coatings on PEEK to enhance its bioactivity, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties for orthopedic applications.

[1] Buck, E., Li, H., & Cerruti, M. (2020). Surface modification strategies to improve the osseointegration of poly(etheretherketone) and its composites. Macromolecular Bioscience, 20(2), e1900271. https://doi.org/10.1002/mabi.201900271

[2] Meng, X., Zhang, J., Chen, J., Nie, B., Yue, B., Zhang, W., Lyu, Z., Long, T., & Wang, Y. (2020). KR-12 coating of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) surface via polydopamine improves osteointegration and antibacterial activity in vivo. Journal of Materials Chemistry. B, Materials for Biology and Medicine, 8(44), 10190–10204. https://doi.org/10.1039/d0tb01899f

[3] Damian-Buda, A.-I., Ghițulică, C.-D., Cucuruz, A., Voicu, G., Culita, D., Fruth-Oprișan, V., & Ciocan, L. T. (2022). Mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles in the SiO2-P2O5-CaO-MO (M=mg, Zn) system: Synthesis and properties. Journal of Functional Biomaterials, 13(4), 180. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb13040180

[4] Zheng, K., Torre, E., Bari, A., Taccardi, N., Cassinelli, C., Morra, M., Fiorilli, S., Vitale-Brovarone, C., Iviglia, G., & Boccaccini, A. R. (2020). Antioxidant mesoporous Ce-doped bioactive glass nanoparticles with anti-inflammatory and pro-osteogenic activities. Materials Today. Bio, 5(100041), 100041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2020.100041