Synthesis, characterization, and application of monodisperse poly L-Dopa microspheres

In this study, 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine (L-Dopa) was solvothermally polymerized to monodisperse microspheres 1 µm in diameter. Polymerization was carried out in dimethylformamide containing appropriate amounts of urea and L-Dopa at 120 ◦ C for 24 h. Synthesis of the polymer in basic aqueous solution under hydrothermal conditions or via conventional heating resulted in the formation of bulky powders including irregularly shaped particles of the polymer. The morphologies of the synthesized polymers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The microspheres synthesized by solvothermal method (with ∼1 µm average diameter) were clearly observable in SEM micrographs.