Poly L-Dopa/poly(ethylenedioxythiophene) as a novel mussel-inspired electroactive binder for environmentally friendly hybrid supercapacitors

Abstract

3,4-Dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine and ethylenedioxythiophene were chemically copolymerized via an oxidative process in aqueous solution. The copolymer was used as a novel mussel-inspired electroactive binder in conjunction with a nickel-based metal organic frame work for fabrication of environmentally friendly supercapacitors. The binder, in addition to the sticking effect, contributes to electric charge storing via the redox process of catechol moieties of poly(3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine) and also the formation of a high charge-storing double layer due to the presence of poly(ethylenedioxythiophene). Cyclic voltammetry, charge/discharge measurements, and electrochemical impedance spectrometry showed that the hybrid supercapacitors based on Ni-benzidine MOF with the new electroactive binder exhibit very high specific capacitance (770 F g −1 at 1 A/g) and remarkable capacitance retention of more than 94% after 1000 cycles and 86% after 5000 cycles at high current density of 5 A g −1 .

Effect of Concrete Composition on the Thermodynamic Binding of Dopamine: A DFT Study

“…First, as mentioned above, acidification of concrete leads to degradation. , As Dopa is a carboxylic acid with a p K a of 2.32, this makes the use of Dopa problematic as a concrete binder. Second, Dopa will self-polymerize through the −NH 2 –COOH moiety under basic conditions, such as those found in concrete . As dopamine does not suffer from these issues and still maintains the catechol functionality, we feel justified in using it as a focus of our study.…”

Catechol Conjugation for Bioadhesion in Photo-Cross-Linkable Biomaterials

“…We note that to be able to study the effect of catechol content (via preconjugation oxidative polymerization approach presented here), the catechol-carrying small-molecule candidate for conjugation is preferred to be carboxyl end-capped (as is the case with CA) because carboxyl groups are preserved in the repeating units of polymerized components, i.e., CAo. 35 Otherwise, e.g., in the case of amine end-capped catecholic molecules such as dopamine (DA), primary amine conjugation sites are mostly turned into secondary amines in polydopamine moieties, 36 which are incapable of binding to NHS-activated carboxyl groups of gelatin. In addition, conjugation of catecholamines requires NHS activation of carboxyl in gelatin, which promotes a homocoupling reaction and further reduces the reaction efficiency.…”