Paper Titles
Shape Memory Behavior of 3D-Printed Biomedical Polyurethane with Room Temperature Transition
p.45
Analysis of Connection Geometries for Segmented Stator Cores Machined with Laser Beam Cutting
p.55
Estimation of the Lateral Gap in PECM: A Case Study on Tool Steel S390
p.63
Beading as a Stabilising Element for Thin Wooden Panels
p.75
Influence of Variable Radius Die Geometry on Tube Bending: A Finite Element Parametric Study
p.87
Design and Manufacturing of Complex Geometry PEEK Component through Fused Filament Fabrication
p.99
Development of an Initial FEM Framework to Model Particle-Substrate Contact in Fluidized Bed Finishing of L-PBF Parts
p.113
Biomaterials’ Surface Functionalization by High Frequency Micropatterning Embossing on PEEK Samples
p.121
Evaluating the Performance of Composite Tubes Drawn from Hybrids of Aluminum, Steel, and Carbon Fiber
p.129

Biomaterials’ Surface Functionalization by High Frequency Micropatterning Embossing on PEEK Samples

Article Preview
View Pdf By email

Abstract:

PEEK is a thermoplastic polymer widely employed in the orthopedic field for the fabrication of prosthetic devices, owing to its Young’s modulus being comparable to that of cortical human bone. Surface functionalization through biomaterial micropatterning represents an effective strategy to enhance osteointegration. To this end, an innovative vibration-assisted surface embossing process was applied to PEEK samples. The surface patterning was performed using a square punch with a side length of 0.5 [mm], fabricated via CNC milling. The process is enabled by a linear actuator capable of generating controlled vibrations to induce localized sub-Tg heating of the polymer surface. After that, the application of a post-load is required for the embossing stage. This system allows frequency tuning in the range of 1–4 [kHz]. Finally, the patterned surfaces were sonicated through an ultrasound cleaner and characterized through contact angle measurements and white-light interferometry, confirming the feasibility of the process and demonstrating an increase in both the polar component of the surface free energy and the hydrophilicity compared with merely polished specimens. Enhancing the polar component of surface free energy is an effective strategy to improve biomaterial biocompatibility, confirming the relevance of the proposed surface modifications. Slightly hydrophilic surfaces promote preferential osteoblast adhesion and stable cytoskeletal organization, demonstrating the complementary roles of surface topography in shaping cellular responses.

You have full access to the following eBook
Special Materials and Processes Read eBook

Info:

Periodical:

Materials Science Forum (Volume 1187)

Pages:

121-128

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4028/p-BGY3tC

Citation:

Cite this paper

Online since:

April 2026

Authors:

Marco Magro*, Luigino Filice, Michele Perrelli, Domenico Mundo, Francesco Moscato, Francesco Gagliardi

Keywords:

Biocompatibility, Contact Angle Test, Embossing, PEEK, Surface Free Energy, Surface Treatment

Export:

RIS, BibTeX

Permissions:

Creative Commons CC BY 4.0

Share:

Citation:

* - Corresponding Author

References

[1] O. Mozgova, O. Chernyayeva, A. Sroka-Bartnicka, P. Pieta, R. Nowakowski, S. Pieta, Physicochemical characterization of biodegradable polymers for biomedical applications: Insights from XPS, DRIFT, and AFM techniques, J. Polym. Environ. 33 (2025) 3477–3511.

DOI: 10.1007/s10924-025-03578-5

Google Scholar

[2] M. Drobota, S. Ursache, M. Aflori, Surface functionalities of polymers for biomaterial applications, Polymers 14 (2022) 2307.

DOI: 10.3390/polym14122307

Google Scholar

[3] N. Kalashnikov, J. Barralet, J. Vorstenbosch, Implantable medical devices, biomaterials, and the foreign body response: a surgical perspective, J. Biomed. Mater. Res. A 113 (2025) e37983.

DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37983

Google Scholar

[4] C.J. Wilson, R.E. Clegg, D.I. Leavesley, M.J. Pearcy, Mediation of biomaterial–cell interactions by adsorbed proteins: a review, Tissue Eng. 11 (2005) 1–18.

DOI: 10.1089/ten.2005.11.1

Google Scholar

[5] M. Rahmati, E.A. Silva, J.E. Reseland, C.A. Heyward, H.J. Haugen, Biological responses to physicochemical properties of biomaterial surfaces, Chem. Soc. Rev. 49 (2020) 5178–5224.

DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00103a

Google Scholar

[6] J. Wei, T. Igarashi, N. Okumori, T. Maetani, B. Liu, et al., Influence of surface wettability on competitive protein adsorption and initial attachment of osteoblasts, Biomed. Mater. 4 (2009) 045002.

DOI: 10.1088/1748-6041/4/4/045002

Google Scholar

[7] F. Rossi, M. Van Griensven, Polymer functionalization as a powerful tool to improve scaffold performances, Tissue Eng. Part A 20 (2014) 2043–2051.

DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2013.0367

Google Scholar

[8] Y. Ito, Surface micropatterning to regulate cell functions, Biomaterials 20 (1999) 2333–2342.

DOI: 10.1016/s0142-9612(99)00162-3

Google Scholar

[9] R. Ma, T. Tang, Current strategies to improve the bioactivity of PEEK, Int. J. Mol. Sci. 15 (2014) 5426–5445.

DOI: 10.3390/ijms15045426

Google Scholar

[10] B. Pidhatika, V.T. Widyaya, P.C. Nalam, Y.A. Swasono, R. Ardhani, Surface modifications of high-performance polymer polyetheretherketone (PEEK) to improve its biological performance in dentistry, Polymers 14 (2022) 5526.

DOI: 10.3390/polym14245526

Google Scholar

[11] W. Zheng, D. Wu, Y. Zhang, Y. Luo, L. Yang, X. Xu, et al., Multifunctional modifications of polyetheretherketone implants for bone repair: a comprehensive review, Biomater. Adv. 154 (2023) 213607.

DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213607

Google Scholar

[12] Y. Chen, Z. Chen, K. Lei, J. Ding, L. Yu, Surface modification of polyetheretherketone for boosted osseointegration: a review, Biomater. Adv. (2023).

Google Scholar

[13] H.J. Lee, K. Park, Development of composite micro-patterns on polymer film using repetitive ultrasonic imprinting, Int. J. Precis. Eng. Manuf. Green Technol. 1 (2014) 341–345.

DOI: 10.1007/s40684-014-0043-y

Google Scholar

[14] J. Kosloh, J. Sackmann, W.K. Schomburg, Ultrasonic fabrication of microfluidic channels from polyether ether ketone (PEEK), Microsyst. Technol. 23 (2017) 5505–5513.

DOI: 10.1007/s00542-017-3284-1

Google Scholar

[15] M. Vostatek, E. Verin, M. Tamm, M. Rothbauer, S. Toegel, F. Moscato, Bone-mimetic osteon microtopographies on poly-ε-caprolactone enhance the osteogenic potential of human mesenchymal stem cells, Macromol. Biosci. 25 (2025) 2400311.

DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202400311

Google Scholar

[16] R.A. Gittens, L. Scheideler, F. Rupp, S.L. Hyzy, J. Geis-Gerstorfer, Z. Schwartz, et al., A review on the wettability of dental implant surfaces II: biological and clinical aspects, Acta Biomater. 10 (2014) 2907–2918.

DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2014.03.032

Google Scholar

[17] A.B. Faia-Torres, S. Guimond-Lischer, M. Rottmar, M. Charnley, T. Goren, K. Maniura-Weber, et al., Differential regulation of osteogenic differentiation of stem cells on surface roughness gradients, Biomaterials 35 (2014) 9023–9032.

DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.07.015

Google Scholar

[18] V.M. Villapun Puzas, L.N. Carter, C. Schröder, P.E. Colavita, D.A. Hoey, M.A. Webber, et al., Surface free energy dominates the biological interactions of postprocessed additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V, ACS Biomater. Sci. Eng. 8 (2022) 4311–4326.

DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00298

Google Scholar

[19] F. Awaja, E. Carletti, W. Bonani, G. Speranza, Vinculin focal adhesion of osteoblast-like cells on PEEK coated with ultra-thin polymer nanofilms, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 132 (2015) 42181.

DOI: 10.1002/app.42181

Google Scholar

[20] S. Cinel Şahin, H.L. Sağesen, Effects of polishing protocols on the surface roughness and color stability of polyetheretherketone (PEEK), Eur. Oral Res. (2023).

DOI: 10.26650/eor.20231066580

Google Scholar

[21] L. Hao, H. Yang, C. Du, X. Fu, N. Zhao, S. Xu, et al., Directing the fate of human and mouse mesenchymal stem cells by hydroxyl–methyl mixed self-assembled monolayers with varying wettability, J. Mater. Chem. B 2 (2014) 4794–4801.

DOI: 10.1039/c4tb00597j

Google Scholar