Bioinspired interfaces
Bioinspired interface design
The development of bioinspired interfaces for new materials represents a complex research field with a wide range of applications. The new interface concepts can be used in different research areas, such as surface functionalization or compatibilization of composite and hybrid materials.
The new interface concepts can be used in various research areas, such as surface functionalization or the compatibilization of composite and hybrid materials. The central topics in the AG span activities on polymer hybrid material development, environmentally friendly processing and re-manufacturing and recycling in plastics processing technology.
Metallisation of polymers
Mussels (Mytilus spp.) adhere to a wide variety of inorganic and organic surfaces via byssus filaments (chemical principal component analog - dopamine). Dopamine, which is structurally based on a catechol building block, plays a central role as a film former. An adsorptive entropy gain and a variety of possible interaction mechanisms, such as comproportionation, oligomerization, polymerization, self-assembly, hydrogen bonding, π-π, dipole-dipole, electrostatic, van der Waals interactions, or complex formation, result in universal adhesion to both hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces.
Dopamine makes it possible to mediate between the differences in chemical and physical properties of different classes of materials. It enables homogeneous metallization of plastics and ensures high bond strength of the hybrid material for both functional and decorative applications.
