posted on 2024-01-10, 03:29authored byShang Liu, Ran Ding, Jiaxin Yuan, Xicheng Zhang, Xiaoyong Deng, Yijun Xie, Zhao Wang
Synthetic
melanin is a mimic of natural melanin analogue
with intriguing
properties such as metal–ion chelation, redox activity, adhesion,
and broadband absorption. Melanin-inspired composite materials are
formulated by assembly of melanin with other types of inorganic and
organic components to target, combine, and build up the functionality,
far beyond their natural capabilities. Developing efficient and universal
methodologies to prepare melanin-based composite materials with unique
functionality is vital for their further applications. In this review,
we summarize three types of synthetic approaches, predoping, surface
engineering, and physical blending, to access various melanin-inspired
composite materials with distinctive structure and properties. The
applications of melanin-inspired composite materials in free radical
scavenging, bioimaging, antifouling, and catalytic applications are
also reviewed. This review also concludes current challenges that
must be addressed and research opportunities in future studies.