Latest advances: Improving the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of PEEK materials

Excellent biocompatibility, mechanical properties, chemical stability, and elastic modulus close to bone tissue make polyetheretherketone (PEEK) a promising orthopedic implant material. However, biological inertness has hindered the clinical applications of PEEK. The immune responses and inflammatory reactions after implantation would interfere with the osteogenic process. Eventually, the proliferation of fibrous tissue and the formation of fibrous capsules would result in a loose connection between PEEK and bone, leading to implantation failure. Previous studies focused on improving the osteogenic properties and antibacterial ability of PEEK with various modification techniques. However, few studies have been conducted on the immunomodulatory capacity of PEEK. New clinical applications and advances in processing technology, research, and reports on the immunomodulatory capacity of PEEK have received increasing attention in recent years. Researchers have designed numerous modification techniques, including drug delivery systems, surface chemical modifications, and surface porous treatments, to modulate the post-implantation immune response to address the regulatory factors of the mechanism. These studies provide essential ideas and technical preconditions for the development and research of the next generation of PEEK biological implant materials. This paper summarizes the mechanism by which the immune response after PEEK implantation leads to fibrous capsule formation; it also focuses on modification techniques to improve the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory abilities of PEEK. We also discuss the limitations of the existing modification techniques and present the corresponding future perspectives.

Assessing Surface Coverage of Aminophenyl Bonding Sites on Diazotised Glassy Carbon Electrodes for Optimised Electrochemical Biosensor Performance

Electrochemical biosensors using carbon-based electrodes are being widely developed for the detection of a range of different diseases. Since their sensitivity depends on the surface coverage of bioreceptor moieties, it necessarily depends on the surface coverage of amine precursors. Electrochemical techniques, using ferrocene carboxylic acid as a rapid and cheap assay, were used to assess the surface coverage of amino-phenyl groups attached to the carbon electrode. While the number of electrons transferred in the first step of diazotisation indicated a surface coverage of 8.02 ± 0.2 × l0⁻¹⁰ (mol/cm²), and those transferred in the second step, a reduction of nitrophenyl to amino-phenyl, indicated an amine surface coverage of 4–5 × l0⁻¹⁰ (mol/cm²), the number of electrons transferred during attachment of the amine coupling assay compound, ferrocene carboxylic acid, indicated a much lower available amine coverage of only 2.2 × l0⁻¹¹ (mol/cm²). Furthermore, the available amine coverage was critically dependent upon the number of cyclic voltammetry cycles used in the reduction, and thus the procedures used in this step influenced the sensitivity of any subsequent sensor. Amine coupling of a carboxyl terminated anti-beta amyloid antibody specific to Aβ(1-42) peptide, a potential marker for Alzheimer’s disease, followed the same pattern of coverage as that observed with ferrocene carboxylic acid, and at optimum amine coverage, the sensitivity of the differential pulse voltammetry sensor was in the range 0–200 ng/mL with the slope of 5.07 µA/ng·mL⁻¹ and R² = 0.98.

Surface phosphonation enhances hydroxyapatite coating adhesion on polyetheretherketone and its osseointegration potential

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has excellent mechanical properties, biocompatibility, chemical resistance and radiolucency, making it suitable for use as orthopedic implants. However, its surface is hydrophobic and bioinert, and surface modification is required to improve its bioactivity. In this work, we showed that grafting phosphonate groups via diazonium chemistry enhances the bioactivity of PEEK. Decreased contact angle indicated reduced hydrophobicity as a result of the treatment and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the attachment of phosphonate groups to the surface. The surface treatment not only accelerated hydroxyapatite (HA) deposition after immersion in simulated body fluid but also significantly increased the adhesion strength of HA particles on PEEK. MC3T3-E1 cell viability, metabolic activity and deposition of calcium-containing minerals were also enhanced by the phosphonation. After three months of implantation in a critical size calvarial defect model, a fibrous capsule surrounded untreated PEEK while no fibrous capsule was observed around the treated PEEK. Instead, mineral deposition was observed in the region between the treated PEEK implant and underlying bone. This work introduces a simple method to improve the potential of PEEK-based orthopedic implants.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

We have introduced phosphonate groups on the surface of PEEK substrates using diazonium chemistry. Our results show that the treatment not only increased the adhesion strength of hydroxyapatite particles deposited on PEEK in vitro by approximately 40% compared to unmodified PEEK, but also improved the metabolic activity and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells. When implanted in cranial defects in rats, the phosphonate coating enhanced the osseointegration of PEEK by successfully preventing the formation of a fibrous capsule and favoring mineral deposition between the implant and the surrounding bone. This work introduces a simple method to improve the potential of PEEK-based orthopedic implants, particularly those with complex shapes.

Characterization of bi-layered magnetic nanoparticles synthesized via two-step surface-initiated ring-opening polymerization

A versatile strategy to integrate multiple functions in a polymer based material is the formation of polymer networks with defined nanostructures. Here, we present synthesis and comprehensive characterization of covalently surface functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) comprising a bi-layer oligomeric shell, using Sn(Oct)2 as catalyst for a two-step functionalization. These hydroxy-terminated precursors for degradable magneto- and thermo-sensitive polymer networks were prepared via two subsequent surface-initiated ring-opening polymerizations (ROPs) with ω-pentadecalactone and ε-caprolactone. A two-step mass loss obtained in thermogravimetric analysis and two distinct melting transitions around 50 and 85°C observed in differential scanning calorimetry experiments, which are attributed to the melting of OPDL and OCL crystallites, confirmed a successful preparation of the modified MNPs. The oligomeric coating of the nanoparticles could be visualized by transmission electron microscopy. The investigation of degrafted oligomeric coatings by gel permeation chromatography and 1H-NMR spectroscopy showed an increase in number average molecular weight as well as the presence of signals related to both of oligo(ω-pentadecalactone) (OPDL) and oligo(ε-caprolactone) (OCL) after the second ROP. A more detailed analysis of the NMR results revealed that only a few ω-pentadecalactone repeating units are present in the degrafted oligomeric bi-layers, whereby a considerable degree of transesterification could be observed when OPDL was polymerized in the 2nd ROP step. These findings are supported by a low degree of crystallinity for OPDL in the degrafted oligomeric bi-layers obtained in wide angle X-ray scattering experiments. Based on these findings it can be concluded that Sn(Oct)2 was suitable as catalyst for the preparation of nanosized bi-layered coated MNP precursors by a two-step ROP.

Functionalization of nanomaterials with aryldiazonium salts

This paper reviews the surface modification strategies of a wide range of nanomaterials using aryldiazonium salts. After a brief history of diazonium salts since their discovery by Peter Griess in 1858, we will tackle the surface chemistry using these compounds since the first trials in the 1950s. We will then focus on the modern surface chemistry of aryldiazonium salts for the modification of materials, particularly metallic, semiconductors, metal oxide nanoparticles, carbon-based nanostructures, diamond and clays. The successful modification of sp(2) carbon materials and metals by aryldiazonium salts paved the way to innovative strategies for the attachment of aryl layers to metal oxide nanoparticles and nanodiamonds, and intercalation of clays. Interestingly, diazotized surfaces can easily trap nanoparticles and nanotubes while diazotized nanoparticles can be (electro)chemically reduced on electrode/materials surfaces as molecular compounds. Both strategies provided organized 2D surface assembled nanoparticles. In this review, aryldiazonium salts are highlighted as efficient coupling agents for many types of molecular, macromolecular and nanoparticulate species, therefore ensuring stability to colloids on the one hand, and the construction of composite materials and hybrid systems with robust and durable interfaces/interphases, on the other hand. The last section is dedicated to a selection of patents and industrial products based on aryldiazonium-modified nanomaterials. After nearly 160 years of organic chemistry, diazonium salts have entered a new, long and thriving era for the benefit of materials, colloids, and surface scientists. This tempts us to introduce the terminology of "diazonics" we define as the science and technology of aryldiazonium salt-derived materials.

Functionalization of magnetic nanocrystals by oligo (ethylene oxide) chains carrying diazonium and iniferter end groups

The water stability of iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) is a major issue for biomedical and biological applications. This paper presents a versatile approach for preparing water-soluble iron oxide nanoparticles coated by bifunctional oligo(ethylene oxide) (OEO) chains, carrying on the one side a diazonium end group for covalent grafting at the NP surface and on the other side an iniferter group (diethyl dithiocarbamate) for initiating the growing of poly(methacrylic acid). The nanoparticles were synthesized by coprecipitation in basic media and functionalized in situ by adding the diazonium salt directly in the synthesis medium. Oligo(ethylene oxide) with various chain lengths (from one to three monomer units) was grafted at the NP surface using this approach. The length of the OEO spacer between the NP surface and the iniferter end group was found to be a critical parameter for controlling the colloidal stability of the hybrid NPs. The polymerization time was also shown to strongly influence their colloidal stability, emphasizing the interest to control the interfacial properties of the hybrids for obtaining stable dispersions in water.

Synthesis of diazenido-ligated vanadium nanoparticles

Metallic vanadium nanoparticles stabilized with 4-octylphenyldiazenido groups (particle size: 1.7 ± 0.2 nm) were synthesized via the reduction of VCl4 with superhydride (LiBHEt3) in the presence of 4-octylphenyldiazonium salt in an Ar-filled glovebox. The resulting particles were characterized using TEM, elemental analysis, and XPS measurements. The unusual reaction on the surface resulted in the passivation of V-N═N-Ar covalent bonds.