ABSTRACT
The dihydroxy phenyl group in 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine (DOPA) can be found in sea squirts and urushi, producing a nice coating material through oxidative cross-linking reaction. This chapter describes works on several types of synthetic adhesive polymers and surface coating materials with DOPA moiety or catechol derivatives inspired by the chemical structure of adhesive proteins and hydrogels of marine sessile organisms, such as mussels, sea squirts, and barnacles. It introduces some developments in adhesives and coating materials inspired by bioadhesion concepts originating from natural life forms. Toward the useful application of mussel adhesive proteins, various types of polypeptides have also been synthesized to demonstrate underwater adhesion. Thermosensitive biocompatible hydrogel tissue adhesives have also been prepared by combining the catechol-conjugated chitosan and thiol-terminated pluronic copolymers. The chapter investigates control of the gelation pathway of catechol-containing polymers. The reversible cross-linking via metal coordination of catechol has been applied to self-healing polymer systems.
