Size and surface properties of polydopamine nanoparticles tunable via controlled oxidation conditions

Abstract

Polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs) have emerged as a versatile biomimetic material with tunable physicochemical properties, making them promising candidates for applications in biomedicine, energy storage, and photothermal therapy. In this study, we investigate the structural and functional evolution of PDA NPs synthesized under controlled oxidation conditions, emphasizing the interplay between molecular crosslinking, surface roughness, and optical properties. A systematic analysis using SEM, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy reveals a progressive transformation of catechol (–OH) groups into quinones, leading to increased π–π stacking and crosslinking, which modulates both electronic and photothermal behaviour. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis identified 24 hours as the optimal synthesis window, yielding uniform and colloidally stable nanoparticles (D_H ≈ 154 nm; ζ-potential ≈ –41 mV). At early oxidation stages (1–24 h), the high availability of free catechol and amine groups supports enhanced electron delocalization, while at intermediate oxidation times (48 h), excessive crosslinking restricts charge mobility, limiting functional performance. Prolonged oxidation (96–120 h) results in increased roughness, influencing both light absorption and heat diffusion. Comparative photothermal analysis with Sepia melanin demonstrates that PDA NPs exceed the thermal performance of natural eumelanin in both tunability and photothermal conversion efficiency, reaching a ΔT ≈ 48.9 °C, for the 120 h oxidation NPs. The findings highlight the critical role of oxidation-driven molecular modifications in defining PDA's optical and thermal performance. These insights establish a structure–property framework for optimizing PDA NPs for life science applications.