Design principles and application research of mussel-inspired materials: A review

Abstract

Since humans first uncovered the mystery of the mussel, this unique creature has continued to attract the attention of researchers due to its impressive functionality. Specifically, the mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs) secreted by the byssus of mussels have demonstrated noteworthy adhesion properties, inspiring scientists to develop new materials. These innovative mussel-inspired materials have been utilized in a range of fields, including environmental engineering, biomedicine, and materials engineering. Despite recent exploration of the primary interaction mechanism of these materials, we include this information in our paper as it remains an essential design principle for mussel-inspired materials. To provide a comprehensive overview of the mussel adhesion mechanisms, characterization and related applications, especially for environmental applications, we offer a detailed review. Furthermore, since the easy oxidation of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) limits the application of mussel-inspired materials, we also highlight the oxidation process of DOPA, identifying influencing factors and offering solutions to expand the application scope of these materials.