Structure and mechanical performance of in situ synthesized hydroxyapatite/polyetheretherketone nanocomposite materials

• Published in: Journal of sol-gel science and technology Vol. 62; no. 1; pp. 52 - 56
• Main Authors: Ma, Rui, Weng, Luqian, Fang, Lin, Luo, Zhongkuan, Song, Shenhua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.04.2012; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Bonding strength; Breaking; Ceramics; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Colloidal gels. Colloidal sols; Colloidal state and disperse state; Composite materials; Composites; Energy dispersive X ray spectroscopy; Energy transmission; Exact sciences and technology; Fillers; General and physical chemistry; Glass; Hydroxyapatite; Inorganic Chemistry; Materials Science; Mechanical properties; Microscopy; Nanocomposites; Nanostructure; Nanotechnology; Natural Materials; Optical and Electronic Materials; Original Paper; Particulate composites; Physical factors; Polyether ether ketones; Polyetheretherketones; Polymer matrix composites; Scanning electron microscopy; Sol-gel processes; Spectrum analysis; Tensile strength; Transmission electron microscopy; Polyetheretherketone; Hydroxyapatite; In situ method; Composite; Sol–gel; Scanning electron microscopy; In situ; X ray; Replacement; Potential; Composite material; Particle; Infrared spectrometry; Sol―gel; Transmission electron microscopy; Synthesis; Energy; Sol gel process; Nanocomposite; Structure
• ISSN: 0928-0707; 1573-4846
• DOI: 10.1007/s10971-012-2682-1

Nano-hydroxyapatite (HA) particles were prepared by a sol–gel method and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composite materials containing a various amount of lab-prepared HA fillers had been successfully synthesized via an in situ synthesis process. The materials structure was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and the mechanical performance was investigated by a tensile strength test. The tensile strength of HA/PEEK composites reaches an optimal 108 MPa at 6.1% HA content. The composites with HA content below 17.4% exhibit a plastic break mode, while a brittle break mode above 17.4%. The results exhibit that the strong bonding between hydroxyapatite fillers and PEEK matrix has been achieved. And it was proved that this strong bonding may be mainly attributed to the physical factors, such as mechanical interlock between PEEK molecules and HA surface. The study clearly demonstrates that in situ synthesized HA/PEEK composite materials have the potential for use as an alternative material for hard tissue replacement.