Chemical and Topological Design of Bioinspired Polymer Adhesives: Molecular Interfacial Mechanics and Applications

In mussels, the adhesive proteins that are instrumental for attachment to wet surfaces are known to contain high levels of 3,4-dihydroxy-L-alanine (DOPA), often located adjacent to amino residues such as lysine (Lys). The special synergistic relationship between catechols and amines is a subject of high interest, not only for understanding native proteins but also for informing the design of bioinspired polymer systems. Other research groups have shown that catechol and amine functional groups act synergistically to enhance adhesion at wet surfaces, however reports of catechol-amine interfacial phenomena on a single molecule level have been limited. In this talk we will describe single molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) measurements that are providing new insights into interactions between Lys-DOPA peptides and various surfaces, and informing the design of novel polymer adhesives, for example pressure sensitive adhesives and high-strength thermoset adhesives.