Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is considered as an excellent biomaterial for bone grafting and connective tissue replacement. The clinical potential is, however, limited by its bioinertness, poor osteoconduction, and weak antibacterial activity. These disadvantages can be overcome by introducing suitable additives to produce mineral-polymer composites or coatings. In this work, a PEEK-based bioactive composite has been obtained by blending the polymer with magnesium phosphate (Mg3(PO4)2) particles in amounts ranging from 1 to 10 wt.% using the hot press technique. The obtained composite exhibited improved mechanical and physical properties, above the lower limits set for bone engineering applications. The tested grafts were found to not induce cytotoxicity. The presence of magnesium phosphate induced the mineralisation process with no adverse effects on the expression of the marker crucial for osteoblastic differentiation. The most promising results were observed in the grafts containing 1 wt.% of magnesium phosphate embedded within the PEEK matrix. The improved bioactivity of grafts, together with suitable physical-chemical and mechanical properties, indicate this composite as a promising orthopaedic implant material.

Centre of Polymer Systems Tomas Bata University in Zlín tř Tomáše Bati 5678 760 01 Zlín Czech Republic

Department of Bioanalytical Instrumentation Institute of Analytical Chemistry Czech Academy of Sciences Veveří 97 602 00 Brno Czech Republic

Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia Via Campi 103 41125 Modena Italy

Faculty of Technology Tomas Bata University in Zlín Vavrečkova 5669 760 01 Zlín Czech Republic

Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics of the Czech Academy of Sciences Centre Telč Prosecká 809 76 190 00 Praha 9 Czech Republic

Laboratory of Odontogenesis and Osteogenesis Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics Czech Academy of Sciences Veveří 97 602 00 Brno Czech Republic

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