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 POCl 3 . 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.