Elevated Photothermal Antibacterial Efficacy and Improved Biocompatibility via Photothermal Cryogel Modification for Carbon Fiber‐Reinforced Polyether Ether Ketone Composites

ABSTRACT Photothermal therapy represented an effective and promising strategy for addressing infective bone defects. To address the challenge of infection during bone implantation, an innovative photothermal cryogel modification approach had been developed for carbon fiber‐reinforced polyether ether ketone (CF/PEEK) composites. This approach employed the cryogelation method based on free radical photopolymerization to attach the photothermal cryogel onto the surface of the composites, thereby exhibiting excellent antibacterial properties and biocompatibility. The photothermal cryogel was assembled from 2D graphene oxide‐hydroxyapatite (GO‐HAP) nanocomposites and gelatin methacrylate/polyethylene glycol diacrylate (GelMA/PEGDA). Under near‐infrared (NIR) light irradiation, the graphene oxide nanosheets within the photothermal cryogel converted light energy into heat energy, leading to the disruption of bacterial cell membranes, denaturation of membrane proteins, and irreversible damage, effectively alleviating bacterial infection during implantation. Additionally, the presence of hydroxyapatite in the photothermal cryogel further enhanced the biocompatibility of the CF/PEEK composites. In vitro experiments had unequivocally validated the remarkable photothermal antibacterial efficacy and biocompatibility of the modified CF/PEEK composites. These compelling findings underscored the immense potential of photothermal cryogel‐modified CF/PEEK composites in revolutionizing photothermal antibacterial applications.