Synthesis and characterization of Sr-doped HAp-incorporated polyether ether ketone composite

Hydrothermally synthesized undoped and Sr-doped hydroxyapatite-dispersed polyether ether ketone composites has been fabricated by using hot isostatic pressing technique with 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt.% as the dispersoids content. The detailed structural investigation of the fabricated composites has been performed by scanning electron microscope, high-resolution transmission electron microscope, and X-ray diffraction technique that confirmed the uniform dispersion of the dispersoids with the polyether ether ketone matrix. The microindentation measurements show that the mechanical properties of the polyether ether ketone matrix improved remarkably with incorporation of the hydroxyapatite (HAp) particles. The nondestructively evaluated elastic modulus so obtained for the matrix and composites were further validated through finite element analysis. Moreover, the in vitro cytotoxic of the fabricated nanocomposites were also evaluated to assess its potential as a bioactive material.