Biocompatible Tough Ionogels with Reversible Supramolecular Adhesion

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Balancing cohesive and interfacial adhesion energies is crucial for developing reversible adhesives with both high mechanical and adhesion strengths.
• Existing methods for creating such adhesives are extensively investigated but face challenges in achieving optimal properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a biocompatible ionogel with high mechanical strength and adhesion for reversible engineered and biological adhesives.
• To utilize a citric acid/L-(-)-carnitine (CAC)-based ionic liquid as a solvent for ionogel preparation.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of ionogels using a biocompatible citric acid/L-(-)-carnitine (CAC)-based ionic liquid as a solvent.
• Characterization of mechanical properties including tensile strength, Young's modulus, and toughness.
• Evaluation of adhesion strength on glass substrates and interfacial toughness on wet biological tissues.

Main Results:

• The prepared ionogels exhibited excellent mechanical properties: tensile strength (14.4 MPa), Young's modulus (48.1 MPa), and toughness (115.2 MJ m^-3).
• High adhesion strength on a glass substrate (24.4 MPa) was achieved.
• Mechanically matched tough adhesion at the interface of wet biological tissues (interfacial toughness ~191 J m^-2) was demonstrated.
• The ionogels could be detached on demand using a saline solution.

Conclusions:

• The developed CAC-based ionogels offer a promising solution for creating tough, high-adhesion reversible adhesives.
• These ionogels show potential for diverse clinical applications, including wound adhesion and non-destructive organ transfer.
• The material's biocompatibility and on-demand detachability enhance its suitability for biomedical uses.