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Investigating Single Molecule Adhesion by Atomic Force Spectroscopy
Published on: February 27, 2015
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Cooperative Tridentate Hydrogen-Bonding Interactions Enable Strong Underwater Adhesion
Zachary D Lamberty1, Ngon T Tran2, Christian D van Engers3
1Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94760, United States.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|July 14, 2023
Summary
Multidentate hydrogen bonding enhances underwater adhesion. Tridentate alcohol groups in epoxy create robust, cooperative bonds, improving adhesive strength in both air and water.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Multidentate hydrogen-bonding interactions are key to improving underwater adhesion.
- Quantifying the link between macroscale adhesive strength and cooperative hydrogen bonding is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate cooperative effects of tridentate alcohol moieties in epoxy for enhanced adhesion.
- Relate molecular interactions to macroscale adhesive performance.
Main Methods:
- Incorporated tridentate alcohol moieties into a model epoxy.
- Measured adhesive strength with mica and aluminum in air and water.
- Analyzed rate-dependent adhesion and modeled interfacial bond activation energy.
Main Results:
- Tridentate alcohol groups maintained comparable adhesive strength in air and water.
- Adhesion showed increased energy release rates with crack velocity in both environments.
- Estimated bond lifetimes of 2 ms to 6 s, with activation energy of 23-31 kBT.
Conclusions:
- Tridentate alcohol groups, specifically in the Tris moiety, bond cooperatively.
- This cooperative bonding forms robust adhesive interactions underwater.
- Findings support multidentate hydrogen bonding as a strategy for underwater adhesion.
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