Nanostructural interface and strength of polymer composite scaffolds applied to intervertebral bone

Abstract

The pores of bone tissue that play an important part in bone regeneration can emulate the areas of nanoparticles from porous scaffolds. This work evaluated a novel designed and developed nanostructure surface of polyetheretherketone-reduced graphene oxide, calcium hydroxyapatite (PEEK-rGO-cHAp) composite scaffolds of four different lattice structures. The scaffolds were fabricated through fused deposition modeling (FDM), as rGO-cHAp composite was coated on PEEK. The composite scaffolds’ mechanical strength and surface microstructure were studied, using different nanostructure methods of unit cell homogenization and tensile test. The homogenization method for the four lattice structures was designed and analyzed to mimic spine bone structure. A new approach was introduced to homogenize the mechanical characteristics of a periodical lattice of 3D printing structures based on a semi-rigid frame unit cell. They were taking into consideration the impact of geometric approximation errors and joint tightening. A typical frame element with semi-rigid is integrated to assess combined stiffening effects in a discrete homogenization process. The analysis was performed by considering the fundamental unit cell as a scaffold that defined the periodic pattern. Also, this study created an avenue to examine and improve the interfacial bonding between PEEK and rGO-cHAp scaffolds for biocompatibility and degradability, using surface functionalization techniques. The purpose of this research is to compare the manufacturing processes in a model of intervertebral spacer, describe the characteristics of PEEK biomaterial, and explain some parameters related to its processing. In addition to its manufacturing part, a brief theory on the anatomy of the spine region was also presented. To establish its practical applications and benefits in tissue engineering, this study focused on the cervical region via a simulation approach using an anterior method. • Evaluation of novel designed/developed nanostructured surface of PEEK-rGO-cHAp composites. • AM/FDM and characterisation of 3D-printed PEEK-rGO-cHAp scaffolds for spine implants. • Study designed microstructures with programable homogenization in PEEK/rGO/cHAp composite. • PEEK-cHAp performed better in strength than PEEK with 2–3 MPa difference in their yield strengths. • With an in vitro test, the scaffolds exhibited better adhesion, proliferation and cell activity than pure PEEK.