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Updated: Feb 16, 2026

Investigating Single Molecule Adhesion by Atomic Force Spectroscopy
Published on: February 27, 2015
Carbohydrate-Responsive Surface Adhesion Based on the Dynamic Covalent Chemistry of Phenylboronic Acid- and
Sebastian Lamping1, Tobias Otremba1, Bart Jan Ravoo1
1Organisch-Chemisches Institut and Center for Soft Nanoscience, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Corrensstrasse 40, 48149, Münster, Germany.
Abstract:
A glue, based on dynamic covalent chemistry, with a strong adhesion (2.38 kg cm-2 ), water resistance and carbohydrate responsive reversibility is presented. Using surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP), glass and silicon surfaces were coated with copolymers functionalized with phenylboronic acids and catechols. In combination with microcontact printing (μCP) these polymer brushes give access to a carbohydrate responsive "supramolecular Velcro".
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