Germanium/niobium/polyetherketoneketone ternary biocomposite with crisscross micro-nano patterns created by femtosecond laser for enhancing bone-bonding and resisting infection

Loosening and infection are two main reasons for the failure of orthopedic implants. Bone-bonding strengthens the fixation/stability of implants with host bone that extends its service life. Herein, a germanium (Ge)/niobium (Nb)/polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) ternary composite (GNP) was fabricated by melting blend, and crisscross micro-nano patterns on GNP (GNPF) were created by femtosecond laser. The results displayed compared with PEKK and GNP, GNPF with micro-nano patterns displayed remarkable upgradation in surface properties with higher roughness and hydrophilicity/surface energy, etc. GNPF not only promoted osteoblast differentiation but also encouraged the M2 macrophage polarization in vitro. Moreover, GNPF inhibited the bacteria reproduction in vitro, and resisted infection in vivo owing to the sustained release of Ge ion. Further, GNPF remarkably facilitated bone-formation and bone-bonding by inhibiting fibrous capsules in vivo. The mechanism for enhancements of osteoblast response and M2 macrophage polarization in vitro, and bone-bonding in vivo for GNPF was attributed to the cooperative effect of the micro-nano patterns and sustained release of Ge/Nb ions. Consequently, GNPF with osteogenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial functions boosted bone-bonding and resisted infection, thereby displaying a promising potential for construction of segmental bone defects.