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Title: Shear Flow-Induced Crystallization of Poly(ether ether ketone)
Award ID(s):
1653629
NSF-PAR ID:
10211950
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Macromolecules
Volume:
53
Issue:
9
ISSN:
0024-9297
Page Range / eLocation ID:
3472 to 3481
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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  1. Abstract

    Poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) is a semi‐crystalline thermoplastic with excellent mechanical and chemical properties. PEEK exhibits a high degree of resistance to thermal, chemical, and bio‐degradation. PEEK is used as a biomaterial in the field of orthopedic and dental implants; however, due to its intrinsic hydrophobicity and inert surface, PEEK does not effectively support bone growth. Therefore, new methods to modify PEEK's surface to improve osseointegration are key to next‐generation polymer implant materials. Unfortunately, PEEK is a challenging material to both modify and subsequently characterize thus stymieing efforts to improve PEEK osseointegration. In this manuscript, we demonstrate how surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization can be used to modify novel PEEK microparticles (PMP). The hard core‐soft shell microparticles were synthesized and characterized by dynamic light scattering, attenuated total reflection‐infrared, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, indicating the grafted materials increased solubility and stability in a range of solvents. The discovered surface grafted PMP can be used as compatibilizers for the polymer‐tissue interface.

     
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