Phenolic Polymers as Model Melanins

Galeb, Hanaa and Eichhorn, Jonas and Harley, Sam and Robson, Alexander and Martocq, Laurine and Nicholson, Steven and Ashton, Mark and Abdelmohsen, Hend and Pelit, Emel and Baldock, Sara and Halcovitch, Nathan and Robinson, Benjamin and Schacher, Felix and Chechik, Victor and Vercruysse, Koen and Taylor, Adam and Hardy, John (2023) Phenolic Polymers as Model Melanins. Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics, 224 (14): 2300025. ISSN 1022-1352

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Abstract

Melanins are a class of conjugated biopolymers with varying compositions and functions, which have a variety of potential medical and technical applications. Here, this work examines the conjugated polymers derived from a variety of phenolic monomers (catechol (CAT), levodopa (DOPA), and homogentisic acid (HGA)), using a selection of different analytical chemistry techniques to compare their properties with a view to understanding structure–function relations. The polymers display measurable conductivity, with electronic properties tuned by the functional groups pendant on the polymer backbones (which served as dopants) suggesting their potential for application in electronic devices.