Controlled Fabrication of Polydopamine Nanocapsules via Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly

Mussel-inspired nanocapsules have great potential in catalysis, separation, and biomedicine. However, controlled synthesis of mussel-inspired nanocapsules with tunable particle size, designable shell thickness, and uniform morphology under mild synthesis conditions remains a great challenge. Motivated by the polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA), we put forward a unique self-assembly process mediated by copolymerization of dopamine (DA) and N-nonanoyldopamine (NND) and successfully applied it to the preparation of P(NND-DA) capsules with tunable shell structure. The formation mechanism of capsules was confirmed by combining the experimental technologies and theoretical calculations. This strategy provides a new platform for the preparation of mussel-inspired nanoparticles with diverse morphologies that can be applied in various fields.