Structural complementarity from DNA for directing two-dimensional polydopamine nanomaterials with biomedical applications

Mussel-inspired polydopamine (PDA) has great potential in constructing 2D nanomaterials under mild synthesis conditions (weakly alkaline pH and room temperature), due to the unique-layered structure during its self-polymerization. However, the manipulation of PDA oligomer's aggregation remains a great challenge. Motivated by the similarity in the inter-plane spacings (approximate to 3.4-3.6 angstrom) of the subunits (base pairs for DNA and oligomers for PDA), we first demonstrate the synthesis of free-standing PDA nanoplatelets/sheets through solution-based supramolecular interactions guided by the structural complementarity of the subunit arrangements. The vertical interdigitation and lateral packing of PDA's primary planar structures were involved in the formation process directed by DNA. This system provided us a new platform for understanding the self-assembly interactions between DNA and PDA and the construction of sophisticated 2D nanomaterials with excellent photothermal conversion properties for cancer inhibition applications.