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Polymer Grafting to Polydopamine Free Radicals for Universal Surface Functionalization
Mitchell D Nothling1, Christopher G Bailey2, Lucy L Fillbrook1
1School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|April 11, 2022
Summary
Polydopamine (PDA) primes diverse surfaces for polymer grafting via its inherent radicals. This simple method covalently attaches vinyl polymers, enabling new material properties and tunable composites.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Free radical polymerization (FRP) enables versatile surface modification.
- Polydopamine (PDA) offers universal surface adhesion.
- Developing methods for covalent polymer grafting onto various substrates is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To utilize polydopamine's intrinsic radicals for initiating free radical polymerization.
- To demonstrate covalent polymer attachment onto diverse surfaces.
- To create functionalized materials and polymer-PDA composite networks.
Main Methods:
- Surface functionalization with polydopamine (PDA).
- Free radical polymerization (FRP) initiated from PDA-primed surfaces.
- Characterization using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- Covalent attachment of vinyl polymers to glass, cotton, paper, sponge, and stainless steel.
- Imparting enhanced hydrophobicity, fluorescence, and temperature responsiveness to surfaces.
- Formation of tunable polydopamine-polymer composite organo-/hydrogels via radical cross-linking.
Conclusions:
- PDA serves as an effective surface primer for FRP, enabling covalent polymer conjugation.
- The strategy allows for versatile functionalization of both porous and nonporous materials.
- This approach provides a straightforward route for imparting diverse functionalities to a wide range of surfaces.
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