Phenolic Polymers as Model Melanins
Hanaa A. Galeb, Jonas Eichhorn, Sam Harley, Alexander Robson, Laurine Martocq, Steven J. Nicholson, Mark Ashton, Hend A. M. Abdelmohsen, Emel Pelit, Sara J. Baldock, Nathan R. Halcovitch, Benjamin J. Robinson, Felix H. Schacher, Victor Chechik, Koen Vercruysse, Adam Taylor, John G. Hardy
Abstract
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.