The Role of Methods for Applying Cucurbit[6]uril to Hydroxyapatite for the Morphological Tuning of Its Surface in the Process of Obtaining Composite Materials

Abstract

In this work, composite materials were obtained for the first time using various methods and the dependences of the resulting surface morphologies were investigated. This involves modifying the surface with cucurbit[n]urils, which are highly promising macrocyclic compounds. The process includes applying cucurbit[6]uril to the hydroxyapatite surface in water using different modification techniques. The first method involved precipitating a dispersion of CB[6] in undissolved form in water. The second method involved using fully dissolved CB[6] in deionized water, after which the composite materials were dried to constant weight. The third method involved several steps: first, CB[6] was dissolved in deionized water, then, upon heating, a dispersion of CB[6] was formed on the surface of HA. The fourth method involved using ultrasonic treatment. All four methods yielded materials with different surface morphologies, which were studied and characterized using techniques such as infrared (IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on these results, it is possible to vary the properties and surface morphology of the obtained materials. Depending on the method of applying CB[6] to the surface and inside the HA scaffold, it is possible to adjust the composition and structure of the target composite materials. The methods for applying CB[6] to the hydroxyapatite surface enhance its versatility and compatibility with the body’s environment, which is crucial for developing new functional composite materials. This includes leveraging supramolecular systems based on the CB[n] family. The obtained results can be used to model the processes of obtaining biocomposite materials, as well as to predict the properties of future materials with biological activity.