Surface functionalization of poly(ether ether ketone) by wet-chemical modification with carboxylic acids and diamine

Polyaryletherketones (PAEK) are high-performance plastics with excellent mechanical properties and high thermal resistance used, e.g. as material for implants. Their molecular structure gives them a level of chemical inertness but prevents bonding adhesive interactions other materials integration into body tissue. Using the example poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK), we show novel synthetic routes wet-chemical modification surface to create reactive carboxylic amino groups. In first approach, ketone functionalities PEEK molecules were reduced hydroxy groups subsequently esterified acids. dicarboxylic acids, one acid group was bonded covalently while provided free acidic functionalities. second modified in step by reaction diamine, creating primary on surface. All products analyzed powerful combination sensitive X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) advanced infrared spectroscopic methods.