- Award ID(s):
- 1653629
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10211950
- 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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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.