Metal Coordination-Mediated Functional Grading and Self-Healing in Mussel Byssus Cuticle

Metal-containing polymer networks are ubiquitous in biological systems, and their unique structures enable a variety of fascinating biological behaviors. Cuticle of mussel byssal threads, containing Fe-catecholate complexes, shows remarkably high hardness, high extensibility, and self-healing capability. Understanding strengthening and self-healing mechanisms is essential for elucidating animal behaviors and rationally designing mussel-inspired materials. Here, direct evidence of Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ gradient distribution across the cuticle thickness is demonstrated, which shows more Fe²⁺ inside the inner cuticle, to support the hypothesis that the cuticle is a functionally graded material with high stiffness, extensibility, and self-healing capacity. The mechanical tests of the mussel threads show that both strength and extensibility of the threads decrease with increasing oxygen contents, but this property degradation can be restored upon removing the oxygen. The first-principles calculations explain the change in iron coordination, which plays a key role in strengthening, degradation, and self-healing of the polymer networks. The oxygen absorbs on metal ions, weakening the iron-catecholate bonds in the cuticle and collagen core, but this process can be reversed by sea water. These findings can have important implications in the design of next-generation bioinspired robust, highly extensible materials, and catalysis.