30% carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK) has in recent times, become significant in the orthopedic industry because its elastic modulus can be engineered to match that of the human bone. But it is bioinert and does not integrate well with the immediate bone tissue environment. In this study, a combined surface modification technique involving ambient temperature sulfonation and surface coating of (hydroxyapatite (HA), 5%reduced graphene oxide hydroxyapatite(5%RGO/HA) and 10%reduced graphene oxide hydroxyapatite(10%RGO/HA) composites) on 30%CFR-PEEK was achieved with an appropriate temperature treatment at 345°C in nitrogen. The coatings adhered unto the surface of S30%CFR-PEEK with an improved hydrophilicity and bioactivity. With the sample S30%CFR-PEEK+HA, having the highest enhanced hydrophilicity from 112.5 ± 2.5° to 20 ± 2° and bioactivity. An improvement in hydrophilicity and bioactivity depicts a change in surface chemistry which will have a positive impact in the interaction of the materials surface with immediate bone environment for a successful application in the orthopedic industry.
Keywords: hydroxyapatite; reduced graphene oxide; spin coating; sulfonation.
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