Colorless Multifunctional Coatings Inspired by Polyphenols Found in Tea, Chocolate, and Wine

Polyphenolic compounds present in tea, red wine, and chocolate form thin adherent polyphenol films on substrates through spontaneous adsorption from solution. From this observation emerged a versatile and comprehensive approach to surface modification of a variety of solid, porous, and nanoparticulate substrates composed of metals, ceramics, and polymers (see picture; ROS=reactive oxygen species). Phenols and polyphenols are widely distributed in plant tissues, where they are linked to diverse biological functions such as chemical defense, pigmentation, structural support, and prevention of radiation damage.1 Members of this large family of compounds include epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin gallate…

• NS
  National Science Foundation
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Award: R37 DE014193