A novel SiO_2/Polyetherimide (PEI) Composite Synthesized by Sol-Gel Route: Characterization and Antibacterial Activity

摘要

Polyetherimide (PEI),an amorphous thermoplastic material,is a promising candidate for wide applications due to its high heat stability and its biocompatibility in human tissues.In the present paper,PEI (4 wt%) is added to SiO_2 inorganic matrix in order to obtain a novel composite biomaterial through sol-gel route.Structural characterization by means of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed,through hydrogen bond interactions,the presence of both organic and inorganic components in the structure.Concerning the compatibility in the biological systems,a study of antibacterial properties is carried out,analyzing the effect of SiO_2/PEI composite on Escherichia coli (gram-negative) and Enterococcus faecalis (gram-positive).