
6: POLY(ARYL ETHER KETONE)S 157
Hydroxyl groups can be introduced by the treatment
with sodium borohydride [21]. The hydroxyl groups
(PEEK-OH) can be further reacted with 4-amino-
benzoic acid or succinamic acid to give carboxyl-
modified PEEK surfaces. Moreover, PEEK can be
aminated [22]. Functionalized arylazides can be read-
ily grafted on the PEEK film surfaces by UV irra-
diation [23]. Aromatic azides, such as 4-azido-tetra-
fluorobenzoic acid, or N-butyl-N
-(4-azidophenyl)-
thiourea, belong to the class of photoactivatable
reagents. These compounds can be photo-grafted onto
PEEK.
Another method of surface modification is oxy-
gen plasma treatment. Oxygen ...