Dopamine
(DA)
is
a
“sticky”
biomolecule
containing
the
typical
functional
groups
of
mussel
adhesive
proteins.
It
can
self-polymerize
to
form
a
nanoscale
polydopamine
(PDA)
thin
film
on
various
surfaces.
Despite
the
DA
polymerization
mechanism
and
the
PDA
structure
are
not
fully
explored,
PDA
film
has
gained
great
interest
for
its
promising
applications,
such
as
anti-corrosion
coating,
drug
delivery,
and
nanocomposite
functionalization.
In
this
talk,
we
will
present
our
recent
research
progress
on
the
development
of
zebra
mussel-inspired
electrically
conductive
polymer
nanofiber.
It
combined
PDA
with
polypyrrole
(PPy),
which
is
one
of
the
most
extensively
investigated
conductive
polymers
because
of
its
economic
preparation,
long-term
stability
and
good
biocompatiablity.
Due
to
the
synergetic
effect
of
DA
modification,
PPy
exhibit
multifunctional
and
unique
properties:
the
morphology
changed
from
globular
to
fibrous;
the
PPy
nanofibers
can
readily
dispersed
in
water,
the
adhesion
between
PPy
film
and
glass
substrates
was
enhanced
due
to
the
adhesion
properties
of
the
PDA;
and
proper
DA/pyrrole
(Py)
reacting
ratios
also
led
to
PPy
conductivity
improvement.
All
these
features,
along
with
the
intrinsic
biocompatible
nature
of
these
two
molecules,
significantly
improve
the
processability
of
PPy
and
broaden
its
potential
applications
in
biomedical
materials
and
devices.
This
work
may
also
open
the
possibility
of
using
this
Mussel-inspired
approach
to
functionalize
other
biocompatible
conductive
polymers;
such
materials
could
find
broad
applications
in
biomedical
implants,
scaffold,
artificial
muscles,
and
biosensors.
If
you
are
interested
in
meeting
with
Dr.
Zhao
please
email
CBB.