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Many polymers have been used as biomaterials due to their physicochemical characteristics and structural versatility. However, usage on the human body requires sterilization in order to prevent microbial contamination and diminish the risk of rejection or inflammation. This study presents the use of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) as an alternative to monitor the presence of residual ethylene oxide from polymers sterilization processes. This is a simple technique and does not require sample preparation stages which can imply in some ethylene oxide loss. Ethylene oxide has been used to sterilize polymeric biomaterials, but with restrictions in the amount used due to the difficulty in removing the toxic waste after the sterilization procedure. Samples of commercial (PEEKc) and medical (PEEKm) grade poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) were manufactured in the form of cylindrical tubes, hygienized and sterilized with ethylene oxide. PEEKs showed no chemical changes, but exhibited thermal changes by TGA, which evidenced weight loss between 100 and 500oC that was attributed to the removal of residual ethylene oxide, so this technique, at a 10oC‧min-1 heating rate, can be used to monitor the sterilization processes.

Chemical and Thermal Evaluation of Commercial and Medical Grade PEEK Sterilization by Ethylene Oxide