Cell Adhesion to PEEK Treated by Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation and Deposition for Active Medical Implants

• Published in: Plasma processes and polymers 2012-04, Vol.9 (4), p.355-362
• Main Authors: Awaja, Firas, Bax, Daniel V., Zhang, Shengnan, James, Natalie, McKenzie, David R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; cell adhesion; Coating, metallization, dyeing; Exact sciences and technology; Machinery and processing; medical implant; Medical sciences; PEEK; plasma treatment; Plastics; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Technology of polymers; Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments
• ISSN: 1612-8850; 1612-8869
• DOI: 10.1002/ppap.201100034

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is an attractive material for the encapsulation of active medical implants. PEEK, however, shows hydrophobic surface properties which are not favorable for protein absorption and cell adhesion. We show that oxygen rich nanofilms “sticky thin film,” deposited on PEEK surfaces from plasma using a plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition technique with a (CH4/O2) gas mixture greatly improved cell adhesion (up to 75%) and spreading (up to 81%). Strong correlations were found between cell adhesion and the water contact angle, the polar component of surface energy, and to a lesser extent oxygen concentration of the PEEK surfaces. Surface polarity of the plasma deposited “sticky thin film” was deemed to be the predominant factor in influencing cell adhesion. We show that oxygen rich nanofilms “sticky thin film,” deposited on PEEK surfaces from plasma greatly improved cell adhesion (up to 75%) and spreading (up to 81%). Strong correlations were found between cell adhesion and the water contact angle, the polar component of surface energy, and to a lesser extent oxygen concentration of the PEEK surfaces.