Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has been prominent in orthopedic implants; however, it is inert, preventing interaction between the implant and adjacent bone tissues. One way to overcome this characteristic is physical modification its on surface by particle leaching promoting greater osseointegration. The objective of this research was to develop and characterize the PEEK using a surface modification technique via particle leaching. For of the samples, a layer deposition of NaCl was used on PEEK. This was subjected to the pressure of 850 kg/cm2 by 390ºC for 20 minutes. After cooling, were subjected to leaching process particles. The results indicated a porous surface exhibiting uniform and homogeneous morphology with defined pores interconected, to in the range of 140-373 µm, with an average diameter of 273 µm. These evidenced the considerable NaCl removal after the leaching process, with cavities from ideal sizes which promotes adequate cellular accommodation and distinct roughness, giving an overall possibility of being able to obtain a material more able to receive the cells while also possibly presenting cell viability. Although the compressive strength presented low values, it can still be suitable for applications in areas with a reduced modulus of elasticity.

Abstract Poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) has excellent properties, such as high biocompatibility and an elastic modulus similar to bone, which makes it a suitable biomaterial. When modified with sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and hydroxyapatite (HA), its workability and bioactivity is enhanced, and this makes it of great importance in medicine. This study investigates a better combination of process parameters to manufacture sulfonated PEEK/HA (SPEEK/HA) membranes for biomaterials. Chemical, thermal, and biological analyses were carried out on all samples. The sulfonated structure was observed to enhance wettability, adhesion, and cell viability. Furthermore, an increase in the degree of sulfonation facilitated their workability as required for biomaterials; making them suitable for osseointegration. Besides, the SPEEK/HA membranes presented cell adhesion, confirming the viability to use as biomaterial. This study presents a cheap alternative method to easily process biomaterials of improved workability.

RESUMO O poli (éter-éter-cetona) - (PEEK) é conhecido como um biomaterial alternativo para a substituição de materiais metálicos implantáveis. No entanto, para aplicações biomédicas ele é biologicamente inerte, impedindo uma boa interação entre o implante e os tecidos ósseos adjacentes, dificultando a sua aplicação. Uma maneira de superar o caráter inerte do PEEK é a modificação física da sua superfície pelo método de lixiviação de partículas. Dessa forma, este trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver e caracterizar estruturas de PEEK com superfície modificada. Para a preparação das estruturas utilizou-se a técnica de deposição de uma camada de NaCl sobre o polímero. Esse material foi submetido a uma carga de 6 toneladas seguido de tratamento térmico a 390°C durante três diferentes tempos. Após o resfriamento, as amostras foram submetidas ao processo de lixiviação de partículas de NaCl. Em seguida, as estruturas foram caracterizadas por Microscopia Ótica, retilineidade e FTIR. O aumento de tempo no tratamento térmico conduziu as amostras a uma melhor conformação e preservação das cavidades presentes na superfície rugosa como consequência de uma melhor fusão do polímero, porém provocou uma menor efetividade na lixiviação das partículas de NaCl. No ensaio de retilineidade, a amostra que apresentou menor rugosidade foi a com maior tempo de tratamento térmico, possivelmente devido a uma maior quantidade de NaCl retido em sua superfície rugosa. A partir das observações dos espectros, as amostras de PEEK, quando comparadas à amostra controle, apresentaram um comportamento similar, não demonstrando alteração significativa no perfil entre os materiais estudados. Considerando os aspectos de processamento, a técnica desenvolvida nesta pesquisa demonstrou-se efetiva para a obtenção das amostras de PEEK com superfície modificada com diferentes tempos de tratamento térmico.

ABSTRACT The poly (ether ether ketone) - (PEEK) is known as an alternative biomaterial to replace the well-known successful implantable metallic materials. However, the main issue for PEEK as a biomedical implant it is biologically inert, preventing a good interaction between the implant and the surrounding bone tissue. One way to overcome the inert character of PEEK is the physical surface modification through the particle leaching method. In this way, this article has as goal to develop and to characterize PEEK structures which have modified surface. To prepare these structures it was used a deposition technique where a layer of NaCl is deposited over the polymer. The material was subjected to the load of 6 tons and heat treatment at 390°C in three different times. After cooling at room temperature, the samples were leached by NaCI particles process. Then, the structures were examined by optical microscopy, straightness and FTIR. According to analysis, increasing the heat treatment time results in a better polymer melting which leads better rough surfaces. The surfaces, in general, have better form, better maintaining and better depth recesses. However, increasing the heat treatment time produced a lower leaching effectiveness. In straightness test result, the sample showed less roughness was the sample with longer heat treatment, possibly due to a greater amount of NaCl retained in its roughened surface. From the observations of the FTIR spectra, samples of PEEK, when compared to the control sample showed a similar behavior, showing no significant change in the profile of the studied materials. Considering the process, the technique developed in this article showed to be effective obtaining PEEK samples morphologically modified by different heat treatment time.