Polydopamine microparticles as redox mediators for catalytic reduction of methylene blue and rhodamine B

•Polydopamine microparticles (PDA MPs) act as redox mediators (RMs).•PDA MPs exhibit catalytic activity for methylene blue and rhodamine B reduction.•Quinone moieties in the PDA MPs play key roles in the decolorization of dyes.

Mussel-inspired polydopamine microparticles (PDA MPs) were prepared and found to act as redox mediators for the catalytic reduction of methylene blue and rhodamine B by NaBH4. The presence of quinone moieties in the PDA MPs rapidly channeled the electrons derived from the electron donor (NaBH4) to the dyes, resulting in increased decolorization of the dyes.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide