Biocompatible ternary nanocomposites based on poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK)/poly(ether imide) (PEI) blends reinforced with bioactive titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were fabricated via ultrasonication followed by melt-blending. The developed biomaterials were characterized using FT-IR, SEM, XRD, DSC, TGA, and DMA. Further, their water-absorption, tensile, tribological, dielectric, and antibacterial properties were evaluated. PEI acts as a coupling agent, since it can interact both with PEEK via π-π stacking and polar interactions as well as with the nanoparticles through hydrogen bonding, as corroborated by the FT-IR spectra, which resulted in a homogeneous titania dispersion within the biopolymer blend without applying any particle surface treatment or polymer functionalization. A change from promotion to retardation in the crystallization rate of the matrix was found with increasing TiO2 concentration, while its crystalline structure remained unaltered. The nanoparticles stiffened, strengthened, and toughened the matrix simultaneously, and the optimal properties were achieved at 4.0 wt % TiO2. More interesting, the tensile properties were retained after steam sterilization in an autoclave or exposure to a simulated body fluid (SBF). The nanocomposites also displayed reduced water absorption though higher thermal stability, storage modulus, glass transition temperature, dielectric constant, and dielectric loss compared to the control blend. Further, remarkable enhancements in the tribological properties under both SBF and dry environments were attained. The nanoparticles conferred antibacterial action versus Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in the presence and the absence of UV light, and the highest inhibition was attained at 4.0 wt % nanoparticle concentration. These nanocomposites are expected to be used in long-term load-bearing implant applications.
Keywords: PEEK/PEI blends; TiO2 nanoparticles; antimicrobials; biocomposites; load-bearing implants.