Abstract
We aimed to impart apatite-forming ability to carbon nanotube (CNT)-polyether ether ketone (PEEK) composite (CNT-PEEK). Since CNT possesses electrical conductivity, CNT-PEEK can be expected to useful not only for implant materials but also biosensing devices. First of all, in this study, CNT-PEEK was treated with sulfuric acid to form fine pores on its surface. Then, the hydrophilicity of the substrate was improved by oxygen plasma treatment. After that, the substrate was promptly immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) which was adjusted at pH 8.40, 25.0 °C (alkaline SBF) and held in an incubator set at 70.0 °C for 1 day to deposit fine particles of amorphous calcium phosphate, which we refer to as ‘apatite nuclei’. When thus-treated CNT-PEEK was immersed in SBF, its surface was spontaneously covered with hydroxyapatite within 1 day by apatite nuclei deposited in the fine pores and high apatite-forming ability was successfully demonstrated. The CNT-PEEK also showed conductivity even after the above treatment and showed smaller impedance than that of the untreated CNT-PEEK substrate.
Highlights
Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is one of the most attractive engineering plastics with great material properties such as heat resistance, chemical resistance and radiation resistance and has attracted much attention as an artificial bone material with high mechanical toughness, low elastic modulus and light weight in the orthopedic or dental fields [1]
Carbon nanotube (CNT)-PEEK composite (CNT-PEEK) possesses electrical conductivity derived from carbon nanotube (CNT) in addition to the mechanical characteristics of PEEK
CNT-PEEK was treated with sulfuric acid to form fine pores on its surface
Summary
Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is one of the most attractive engineering plastics with great material properties such as heat resistance, chemical resistance and radiation resistance and has attracted much attention as an artificial bone material with high mechanical toughness, low elastic modulus and light weight in the orthopedic or dental fields [1]. Organic polymers can be combined with other functional materials with electrical, magnetical or biological properties because of their excellent processability. In the case of PEEK, several types of functional composites have been widely developed recently. Carbon nanotube (CNT)-PEEK composite (CNT-PEEK) possesses electrical conductivity derived from CNTs in addition to the mechanical characteristics of PEEK. CNT-PEEK can be expected to be useful as an implant material and in biosensing devices by utilizing its electrical conductivity. If the electrical properties of CNT-PEEK and biological properties of the bioactive materials such as calcium phosphates can be combined, development of artificial bone and high-performance small devices using cells as sensor elements such as biosensors and tip devices may be achieved
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
