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Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)/hydroxyapatite (SPEEK/HA) composites were fabricated using the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) method, and evaluated as biomaterials. All membranes were characterised by chemical and morphological methods to prove the successful sulfonation and deposition of HA. A porous structure that allows adhesion and cell viability was observed. Thus, the results of the study indicate an alternative method to process biomaterials, with lower cost and easy workability and preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to develop and evaluate the influence of processing variables on the morphology and swelling of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) spheres for possible applications as a biomaterial. We used the drip method to obtain spheres with the polymer starting solutions SPEEK-6 (w/v: 6%) and SPEEK-10 (w/v: 10%), drip rates (20 and 30 mL/h), and drip heights (5 and 10 cm) in experimental planning. The samples were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), optical microscopy (OM), the absorption capacity of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) by swelling (%), and statistical analysis of data through Design of Experiments (DOE). The obtained results evidenced that the processing variables influenced the morphology and swelling. Spheres with a bigger concentration of the polymer solution presented a greater degree of sulfonation (DS). We verified that the diameter of the spheres was directly related to the variable height and the sphericity was associated with the speed and viscosity of the solution. Bigger and more pores in a greater amount were observed in the spheres with a greater DS, influencing the behavior of the swelling in PBS. The better variable combinations with a high DS, regular sphericity, a smaller diameter, and greater swelling were the samples S2-10-20-5 e S10-10-20-5. The cytotoxicity indicated that the best samples obtained in the experimental planning (S2-10-20-5 and S10-10-20-5) were not toxic. In that regard, the evaluated spheres presented cell viability and swelling capacity, suggesting their possible applications as biomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]