Stability of polydopamine and poly(DOPA) melanin-like films on the surface of polymer membranes under strongly acidic and alkaline conditions

This study investigated the stability of polydopamine and poly(3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) (poly(DOPA)) melanin-like films on the surface of polymer substrates. Three polymer membranes, polypropylene (PP), poly(vinylidenefluoride) (PVDF) and nylon, were modified with polydopamine or poly(DOPA), and then immersed in 0.1 M HCl or NaOH, followed by UV–vis spectrometry analysis to detect the presence of film detachment. The results showed that the outer parts of both polydopamine and poly(DOPA) films were detached, probably due to electrostatic repulsion between the polymers within the film, when the modified membranes were washed in HCl or NaOH solution. These two films were more stable in strongly acidic solution, but the stability of poly(DOPA) film was better than that of polydopamine film. Compared to the films on the surface of PVDF or nylon membrane, films on PP surface showed the lowest stability, possibly because of the hydrophobic property of PP. The process of film detachment was analyzed by GPC, which showed that unreacted dopamine or DOPA monomers were still present in the freshly formed films. The unreacted monomers, as well as polydopamine or poly(DOPA) that were incorporated in the film via noncovalent interactions, became detached when the film was exposed to strongly acidic or alkaline solution. Oxidation of freshly formed films could significantly enhance their stability. The results therefore provide us with a better understanding of the stability of melanin-like films, and allow us to develop an effective strategy for constructing stable films.