One-Step Assembly of Versatile Multifunctional Coatings Based on Host-Guest and Polyphenol Chemistry

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Surface Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Developing advanced coatings is crucial for material surface and interface applications.
• Polyphenol coatings offer unique properties but require efficient and versatile strategies.
• Tannic acid (TA) is a promising natural polyphenol for coating development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a facile, efficient, and versatile one-step polyphenol coating strategy.
• To explore novel applications of the developed tannic acid and polycyclodextrin (TPP) coating.
• To investigate the properties and assembly behavior of TPP coatings.

Main Methods:

• A one-step solvent evaporation method was used to assemble tannic acid (TA) and polycyclodextrin (PCD) particles into TPP.
• The host-guest chemistry of PCD and polyphenol chemistry of TA were utilized for dynamic assembly.
• Coating formation (TPC) on various substrates was achieved rapidly at 37 °C.

Main Results:

• TPP exhibited high phenolic group activity (88%) and excellent substrate adhesion (0.9 mg cm⁻²).
• TPC coatings formed rapidly (within 1 h) with high feed availability (≈90%).
• The TPC coating demonstrated high-temperature steam sensitivity and pH-sensitive transformation into a free-standing film.

Conclusions:

• A novel, efficient one-step platform for polyphenol coating preparation was established.
• The TPC coating exhibits tunable properties, including sensitivity to temperature and pH.
• Incorporation of metal ions and functional particles extends TPC applications, offering antibacterial, stability, and conductivity enhancements.