Polyetherimide(PEI)/SiO2 organic/inorganic composite: sol-gel synthesis, structural characterization, surface interactions

Polyetherimide (PEI), an amorphous thermoplastic material is a promising candidate for wide applications due to its high heat stability and its biocompatibility in human tissue. In the present paper, PEI (4 wt%) was added to SiO2 inorganic matrix in order to obtain a novel composite biomaterial through sol-gel route. Structural characterization of the biomaterial was provided by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) that confirmed the presence of both organic and inorganic components in the structure. A theoretical study based on Molecular Mechanics and Molecular Dynamics methods will be useful in order to better understand the intermolecular interaction at the organic/inorganic interface compared with the discussed structural characterization. Concerning the compatibility in the biological system, a study of antibacterial properties was carried out. The effect of PEI/SiO2 composite on gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli, was analyzed with a marked antimicrobial activity.