Apatite Formation on Poly(aryl ether sulfone ketone) Surfaces by Means of Polydopamine Layers Functionalized with Phosphonate Groups

Abstract Poly(aryl ether sulfone ketone) containing phthalazinone and biphenyl moieties (PPBESK) is a promising candidate for replacing metal bone implants. Apatite synthesized by polydopamine‐assisted hydroxyapatite formation (pHAF) is a promising coating for bone‐implant application. In this study, a modified pHAF technique is employed to induce the formation of apatite onto PPBESK while phosphonate groups, as potent inducers of apatite formation, are introduced through modification of a polydopamine (PDA) layer. The PPBESK layer and surface‐modified samples are evaluated by Raman spectroscopy, contact angle measurement, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The surface roughness of the samples increases following self‐polymerization of dopamine and decreases after reacting with POCl₃. PPBESK water contact angle reduces significantly after coating with PDA. Microstructural and compositional analyses by SEM and X‐ray diffraction reveal that apatite coating induced by phosphonate groups exhibits a greater quantity of apatite formation, a higher ratio of Ca/P than that induced by a pristine PDA layer. The surfaces are characterized by culturing with MC3T3‐E1 preosteoblasts. Apatite induced by phosphonate group conjugated to PDA layer on PPBESK surface promotes cytocompatibility and osteogenesis of MC3T3‐E1 preosteoblasts in vitro.