Nanoscale Polydopamine (PDA) Meets π–π Interactions: An Interface-Directed Coassembly Approach for Mesoporous Nanoparticles

Abstract

Well known for the adhesive property, mussel-inspired polydopamine (PDA) has been shown to enhance performance in a wide range of adsorption-based applications. However, imparting porous nanostructures to PDA materials for enhanced loading capacities has not been demonstrated even when surfactants were present in the synthesis. Herein, we report on the preparation of mesoporous PDA particles (MPDA) based on the assembly of primary PDA particles and Pluronic F127 stabilized emulsion droplets on water/1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (TMB) interfaces. The key to the formation of this new type of the MPDA structure is the full utilization of the π-π stacking interactions between PDA structures and the π-electron-rich TMB molecules. Remarkably, this method presents a facile approach for MPDA particles with an average diameter of ∼90 nm, slit-like pores with a peak size of ∼5.0 nm as well as hollow cavities. When used as the adsorbent for a model dye RhB, the MPDA particles achieved an ultrahigh RhB adsorption capacity of 1100 μg mg, which is significantly higher than that for the PDA-reactive dyes with Eschenmoser structure. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the cavity space in MPDA can facilitate high volumetric uptake in a capillary filling/stacking manner via the π-π interactions. These developments pave a new avenue on the mechanism and the designed synthesis of functional PDA materials by organic-organic composite assembly for advanced adsorption applications.

Mesoporous Polydopamine Carrying Manganese Carbonyl Responds to Tumor Microenvironment for Multimodal Imaging‐Guided Cancer Therapy

“…MPDA NPs were prepared according to the previously reported methods . MPDA NPs were synthesized in an aqueous solution with Pluronic F127 and 1,3,5‐trimethylbenzene (TMB) as the organic templates.…”

A biomimetic nanoparticle-enabled toxoid vaccine against melittin

“…The ene-yne alternating structure of the surface of PDA nanoparticles increases thermal stability and mechanical strength of the materials, indicating promising applications of the nanoparticles in bio-sensing. [25][26][27] This is helpful to test the cellular internalization by DCs to PDA-PFT complexes. We incubated PDA nanoparticles with melittin, which is a model toxin, to evaluate the safety of a PDA-PFT complex by the RBC lysis test and drug release study.…”

Current Advances in the Utilization of Polydopamine Nanostructures in Biomedical Therapy

“…In order to enhance the payload for drugs and other biomolecules, mesoporous PDA (MPDA) NPs represented another innovative strategy presented by various researchers . For example, MPDA NPs were synthesized in an aqueous tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane solution with triblock copolymer Pluronic F127 and 1,3,5‐trimethylbenzene (TMB) as the organic templates.…”

“…In order to enhance the payload for drugs and other biomolecules, mesoporous PDA (MPDA) NPs represented another innovative strategy presented by various researchers. [32,33] For example, MPDA NPs were synthesized in an aqueous tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane solution with triblock copolymer Pluronic F127 and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (TMB) as the organic templates. The mesoporous structures (average diameter ≈90 nm with slit-like pores of ≈5.0 nm) could be obtained because of the combined effects of π−π stacking interactions between PDA structures and the π electron-rich TMB molecules.…”