الفهرس 
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Abstract
This study aimed to fabtricate polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composites containing different concentrations of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and/or bioactive glass (BG) using a vacuum pressing technique.
PEEK is a semicrystalline thermoplastic polymer that has been recently considered a promising biomaterial for patient specific implants (PSI). PSI are custom made implants, designed to fit precisely in anatomical malformations.
PEEK has flexural strength (F.S) and elastic modulus (E-modulus) close to those of bone. It has good biocompatibility, however, it has no bioactive potential and does not perform osseointegration.
In this study, Eight groups were prepared according to the type and percentage of fillers incorporated into PEEK. group 1: Pure PEEK (P), group 2: PEEK + 3 wt.% MWCNTs (PC3), group 3: PEEK + 5 wt.% MWCNTs (PC5), group 4: PEEK + 5 wt.% BGs (PG5), group 5: PEEK + 10 wt.% BGs (PG10), group 6: PEEK + 3 wt.% MWCNTs + 5 wt.% BGs (PC3G5), group 7: PEEK + 3 wt.% MWCNTs + 10 wt.% BGs (PC3G10), and group 8: PEEK + 5 wt.% MWCNTs + 5 wt.% BGs (PC5G5).
Characterization of the specimens was done using scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and x-ray diffraction (XRD).
The F.S. as well as the E-modulus of PEEK and its composites were evaluated. This was followed by fractographic analysis for the fractured surfaces using SEM. The wettability of PEEK and its composites was evaluated by measuring the contact angle between a distilled water DROP and the surface of the specimen.
The specimens were immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) for two months, this was followed by investigating the deposition of hydroxyapatite (HAp) on the surfaces of the specimens using SEM, EDS, FT-IR and XRD.
In vitro evaluation of the biological activity of the specimens was done using rat osteoblasts. In which the osteoblastic cellular attachment was evaluated after 5 days of incubation using SEM, cellular viability was assessed using the MTT assay test after 1, 3 and 7 days. Finally, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was evaluated after 7 and 14 days of incubation.
The three-point load test results have shown an improvement in both F.S. and E-modulus for groups PC5, PC3G5 and PC5G5. The lowest contact angle was obtained for the PC5G5 group followed by the PC3G10 group. All specimens containing BGs showed the formation of HAp-like deposits after their immersion in SBF, as well as an improvement in osteoblastic cell attachment and viability compared to PEEK. All composite specimens showed an improved ALP activity compared to PEEK.
Conclusion
Binary and ternary PEEK composites containing MWCNTs and/or BGs were successfully prepared. Within the limitations of this study, it could be concluded that: