Polydopamine as a stable and functional nanomaterial.

The mussel inspired chemistry of dopamine leading to versatile coatings on the surface of all kinds of materials in a one pot process was considered as the unique aspect of catecholamine for a long time. Only recently, research has been undertaken to valorize the simultaneous oxidation and colloid formation in dopamine solutions in the presence of an oxidant. This mini review summarizes the synthesis methods allowing to get controlled nanomaterials, either nanoparticles, hollow capsules or nanotubes and even chiral nanomaterials from dopamine solutions. Finally the applications of those nanomaterials will be described.