Allomelanin: A Biopolymer of Intrinsic Microporosity

• DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c00748
• Publication Date: 2021-03-06T04:29:25Z
• Authors: Naneki C. McCallum; Florencia A. Son; Tristan D. Clemons; Steven J. Weigand; Karthikeyan Gnana...; Claudia Battistella; Brooke E. Barnes; Hashanthi Abeyrat...; Zofia E. Siwicka; Christopher J. Fo...; Xuhao Zhou; Martin H. Moore; Daniel A. Savin; Samuel I. Stupp; Zheng Wang; Gary J. Vora; Brandy J. Johnson; Omar K. Farha; Nathan C. Gianneschi
• Keywords: Small-angle X-ray scattering; Nanomaterials; Biopolymer

Melanin is a ubiquitous natural pigment found in diverse array of organisms. Allomelanin class nitrogen-free melanin often fungi. Herein, we find artificial allomelanin analogues exhibit high intrinsic microporosity and describe an approach for further increasing tuning that porosity. Notably, the synthetic method involves oxidative polymerization 1,8-DHN water, negating need multiple complex templating steps avoiding expensive or chemical precursors. The well-defined morphologies these nanomaterials were elucidated by combination electron microscopy scattering methods, yielding to high-resolution 3D reconstruction based on small-angle X-ray (SAXS) results. Synthetic nanoparticles BET areas, up 860 m2/g, are capable ammonia capture 17.0 mmol/g at 1 bar. In addition, can adsorb nerve agent simulants solution as coating fabrics with breathability where they prevent breakthrough. We also confirmed naturally derived fungal gas efficiently despite lower porosity than analogues. Our inspires analysis yet be discovered biological materials this melanins may linked evolutionary advantages relevant organisms turn inspire design new surface area materials.