Direct Observation of the Interplay of Catechol Binding and Polymer Hydrophobicity in a Mussel-Inspired Elastomeric Adhesive.

ABSTRACT: Marine organisms such as mussels have mastered the challenges in underwater adhesion by incorporating post-translationally modified amino acids like l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) in adhesive proteins. Here we designed a catechol containing elastomer adhesive to identify the role of catechol in interfacial adhesion in both dry and wet conditions. To decouple the adhesive contribution of catechol to the overall adhesion, the elastomer was designed to be cross-linked through [2 + 2] photo-cycloaddition of coumarin. The elastomer with catechol moieties displayed a higher adhesion strength than the catechol-protected elastomer. The contact interface was probed using interface-sensitive sum frequency generation spectroscopy to explore the question of whether catechol can displace water and

SUBMITTER: Kaur S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6202650 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature