Recent advances in dopamine-based materials constructed via one-pot co-assembly strategy

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Chemistry

Background:

• Dopamine-based materials exhibit remarkable physicochemical and biological properties.
• Polydopamine (PDA) films have spurred development of novel nanostructures and fabrication techniques.
• One-pot co-assembly offers a streamlined approach to integrate multiple functionalities into dopamine platforms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the latest advancements in one-pot multicomponent self-assembly of dopamine-based materials.
• To summarize single-step co-deposition strategies, including PDA-assisted encapsulation and co-assembly via non-covalent or covalent interactions.
• To outline emerging applications and discuss future challenges and opportunities in dopamine-based material design.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on one-pot co-assembly strategies for dopamine-based materials.
• Categorization of co-deposition approaches based on interaction types (non-covalent, covalent, PDA-assisted).
• Analysis of applications across sensing, therapy, catalysis, separation, and antifouling.

Main Results:

• One-pot co-assembly enables simultaneous integration of multiple properties and functions.
• Various co-assembly methods, including PDA-assisted adaptive encapsulation and molecular co-assembly, have been developed.
• Dopamine-based materials show promise in sensing, cancer therapy, catalysis, oil/water separation, and antifouling.

Conclusions:

• One-pot multicomponent self-assembly is a powerful strategy for advanced dopamine-based materials.
• Emerging applications demonstrate the versatility and potential of these materials.
• Addressing current challenges will facilitate rational design and broader application of dopamine-based materials.