Electrodeposition of coatings made from catecholamines, polyphenols and aminimalonitrile: Common features, perspectives and challenges.

Graphical abstract Highlights • One pot film deposition using cyclic voltametry. • Deposition using catechols, catecholamines and aminomalononitrile. • Constant potential deposition is also possible. • Impermeable films to redox probes. • Possible applications as biomaterials and protection against corrosion. Abstract The possibility to functionalize almost all kinds of interfaces with catecholamines, catechols or aminomalonitrile to produce conformal films which can be subsequently functionalized with metal nanoparticles or organic molecules, revolutionized surface science in the last few years. However, when performed from solution using appropriate oxidants (in the case of catecholamines and catechols) or the appropriate pH range (in the case of aminomalonitrile), the film deposition is accompanied with precipitation of insoluble precipitates in solution implying a considerable lost of active molecules. This drawback can be circumvented on conductive substrates by performing deposition by cyclic voltammetry or by constant deposition methods. This short review aims to describe the state of the art in such deposition methods, to highlight common features of the obtained coatings and to give some perspectives to improve their properties, notably in terms of electronic conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]