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Molecular Staples for Tough and Stretchable Adhesion in Integrated Soft Materials
Baohong Chen1, Jiawei Yang1, Ruobing Bai1
1John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Kavli Institute for Bionano Science and Technology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
Advanced Healthcare Materials
|August 2, 2019
Summary
This study introduces a design principle for adhering soft materials using hard polymers. The method creates tough, stretchable adhesion by forming in-situ hard polymer islands entangled with soft material networks.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Adhesion Science
Background:
- Soft materials like tissues and gels are difficult to adhere with traditional hard polymers.
- Hard polymers restrict the deformation of soft materials, limiting adhesion effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a design principle for achieving tough and stretchable adhesion between soft materials using hard polymers.
- To enable the use of hard polymers for bonding diverse soft materials without surface functionalization.
Main Methods:
- Forming in-situ islands of hard polymers at the interface of two soft materials.
- Ensuring topological entanglement between hard polymer islands and soft material polymer networks.
- Controlling island size relative to flaw sensitivity length for stretchability.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated several methods for forming hard polymer islands.
- Studied the mechanics and chemistry governing the adhesion process.
- Achieved adhesion that remains tough through repeated large stretches.
Conclusions:
- The design principle allows for tough and stretchable adhesion between soft materials using hard polymers.
- This approach broadens the applicability of hard polymers in soft material integration.
- The method does not require functional groups on the soft materials for adhesion.
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