The Korean Society of Surface Science and Engineering

In this study, the surface of Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) disks was modified to have a hydrophilic surface by applying a coating of Polyethylene glycol (PEG), Hyaluronic acid(HA), and Poly-Dopamine(PDA). The investigation aimed to examine whether the coated surfaces showed enhanced bioactivity for orthopedic applications compared to the pure PEEK. The microstructure, surface characteristics, and wettability of PEEK coated with PEG, HA, and PDA were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy(SEM), FT-IR spectrophotometer, Roughness Measurement System, Micro-Vickers, and Contact angle measurement. The mechanical properties were analyzed using a tensile testing machine, while the MTT assay for cell activity was analyzed using a microplate reader to measure optical density. According to the SEM and FT-IR results, the composition and crystal structure of PEG, HA and PDA coated surface were verified. Also, roughness, hardness, and contact angle were all improved in the coating group compared to the pure PEEK. We checked the HepG2 cell proliferation by using MTT assay on 7th days. In MTT assay results, HepG2 cell proliferation was increased with time, at 7 days, cell viability on discs coated with PDA was significantly higher than pure PEEK, PEG, HA coated group. PDA coated PEEK exhibited the highest surface roughness, hardness, contact angle, and cell activity. The mechanical properties were not affected by the presence of the coating.

Keywords PEEK; Surface modification; Bioactivity; PEG (Polyethylene glycol); HA (Hyaluronic acid); Poly-Dopamine (PDA).