Evaluation of surface energy and surface stability and adherence of Candida albicans to octa fluoro pentyl (meth) acrylate‑coated PEEK using plasma spray

Abstract

Background: Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has favorable properties that make it able to be used
as a denture base material, but it is also susceptible to the adhesion of microorganisms. In this
study, we applied Octafluoropentyl (meth) acrylate (OFPA) coating on the PEEK polymer surface
by using plasma spray and investigated the functional groups present on the surface, changes in the
surface energy and Candida albicans adhesion.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the samples were placed in a control
group without surface preparation and three experimental groups that were subjected to
plasma spray for 10, 30, and 60 s and then impregnated with degassed Octa fluoropentyl (meth)
acrylate (Sigma‑Aldrich, USA) monomer. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used
to identify the functional groups and new chemical bonds between PEEK and OFPA, and Sessile
Drop Method was used to evaluate the surface’s wettability. The surface morphology was checked
using a LEXT OLS4000 (Olympus®‑Japan) microscope, and the inhibition of C. albicans adhesion was
also checked by counting the colonies in terms of colony forming unit/mL (CFU/mL). Kurskal–Wallis
analysis was conducted to assess Candida adhesion, while wettability was evaluated using analysis
of variance and post hoc analyses. The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.
Results: FTIR analysis confirmed that a chemical between OFPA and PEEK was established. The samples
showed a significant increase in the contact angle after 30 s of plasma application (CA = 88.2 ± 7.3).
The contact angle decreased again by increasing the surface modification to 60 s (CA = 64.33 ± 5.5).
Examining the surface morphology of the samples shows an increase in surface roughness with
increasing plasma time up to 60 s. The number of adherent colonies was the lowest in 30 s group,
but it was not statistically significant (P = 0.658).
Conclusion: No statistically significant difference in C. albicans CFU/mL count was found between
groups. The contact angle of the 30 s group was significantly higher than the control group.
Key Words: Bacterial adhesion, Candida albicans, plasma gases, polyetheretherketone, surface properties

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Majid Jahangir: Pubmed,Google Scholar