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Electrochemical Deactivation of Switchable Catechol-Containing Smart Adhesive from Nonconductive Surfaces
Md Saleh Akram Bhuiyan1, James Manuel1, Fatemeh Razaviamri1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan 49931, United States.
ACS Applied Polymer Materials
|August 22, 2025
Summary
This study demonstrates a novel electrochemical method to deactivate and reactivate smart adhesives on nonconductive surfaces. The smart adhesive adhesion strength decreased by 98% and was tunable with electrical parameters.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Adhesion Science
Background:
- Smart adhesives offer tunable properties for advanced applications.
- Controlling adhesion on nonconductive surfaces electrochemically presents a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the electrochemical deactivation and reactivation of catechol-based smart adhesives.
- To investigate the feasibility of this method on nonconductive substrates like glass and PMMA.
Main Methods:
- Coating a catechol-based adhesive onto an aluminum mesh-polydimethylsiloxane (AM-PDMS) substrate.
- Utilizing a silver (Ag) counter electrode for electrochemical control.
- Applying electrical potential (up to 20 V) to de/reactivate the adhesive bond.
Main Results:
- Achieved a 98% decrease in adhesion strength on nonconductive surfaces via electrochemical deactivation.
- Demonstrated tunable deactivation rates based on voltage, time, and electrode surface area.
- Successfully reactivated the adhesive electrochemically up to 3 cycles using catechol-boronate chemistry.
Conclusions:
- Electrochemical control offers a viable method for deactivating and reactivating catechol smart adhesives on nonconductive materials.
- The tunable nature of the deactivation process allows for precise control over adhesive properties.
- This research opens avenues for reusable and switchable adhesive systems.
