As a part of an effort to develop a polymer adhesive in high humidity environments, we studied the adsorption of small bioinspired oligomers on a model metal oxide surface with atomistically detailed molecular dynamics simulations. The oligomers consisted of two different repeat units: a maleimide, which contains a catechol functional group as in the dopamine residue found in marine adhesive proteins, and a methyl acrylate. A hydroxylated alumina surface was used as the model metal oxide surface. Adsorption interactions were investigated in aqueous as well as anhydrous conditions. In anhydrous conditions, the model oligomers displayed strong adsorption interactions with the surface. However, in aqueous conditions, the adsorption interactions were significantly weakened because of the competition with the water molecules for adsorption sites near the surface. Diverse adsorption properties were observed depending on composition and sequence of two different repeat units and self-aggregation. Catechol functional groups in the model oligomers were found to play an important role in adsorption interactions with the alumina surface via hydrogen bonds.

Atomistic simulations of adsorption of bioinspired oligomers on a model metal oxide surface in aqueous conditions

2019 Fall National Meeting

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