Biomimetic adhesive interlayers for technological applications with intrinsic stress-sensitive respons

Abstract

Impressive adhesive mechanisms are encountered in nature, such as the sticking properties of mussels onto various surfaces mediated by a series of mussel-foot proteins containing dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA). In order to better exploit the bio-based adhesive functions in technical applications such as microsystem components, sensor devices and biopolymer composites, a synthetic route has been developed for coupling of a specific adhesive peptide with a lipid diacetylenic tail and self-organization into nanoscale vesicles that were stabilized by UV-induced polymerization. Adhesive micro-arrays were made onto patterned substrates by means of a lithographic methods and subsequent confinement of the aqueous vesicle solution onto hydrophilic spots. Alternatively, the vesicles may be adsorbed onto cellulosic fibers in order to control the interface properties after incorporation into polymer composites. The colorimetric and fluorescent responses of the interfaces are probed as a function of interfacial stress.