Gold Nanoparticles Enhance the Antibacterial and Osteogenic Properties of Polyetheretherketone.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a promising implant material due to its excellent physicochemical properties and bonelike mechanical strength. However, its inherent lack of antibacterial and osteogenic activities limits broader clinical application. In this study, gold nanoparticles of three sizes were synthesized and immobilized onto the PEEK surface via polydopamine-assisted deposition, constructing a functional coating. The results demonstrated that the coated PEEK exhibited significantly enhanced antibacterial performance, which was more pronounced with smaller nanoparticle sizes. Moreover, the modified surface favored the early adhesion of bone mesenchymal stem cells. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that this coating effectively promoted the osseointegration of PEEK implants. In summary, this work presents a potential surface treatment strategy to endow PEEK with enhanced osteogenic and antimicrobial properties.