Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 8, 2026
09:06
Evaluation of the Curing of Adhesive Systems by Rheological and Thermal Testing
Published on: July 3, 2020
7.7K
Robust Underwater Epoxy Adhesives Enabled by Dynamic Covalent Bond Mediated Two-Stage Curing.
Zhipeng Liu1, Ying Tang1, Jiadong Yang2
1School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Platform Chemicals from Marine Biomass and their Functionalization, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China.
ACS Macro Letters
|December 16, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a novel two-stage curing method for robust underwater epoxy adhesives using poly(thioctic acid). The innovative strategy achieves high underwater bonding strength and enables green recyclability for advanced material applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Developing robust underwater adhesives is challenging due to interfacial water interference.
- Existing epoxy adhesives often lack efficient underwater bonding capabilities and recyclability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose an innovative two-stage curing strategy for robust underwater epoxy adhesives.
- To synthesize a novel epoxy curing agent based on poly(thioctic acid).
- To achieve high underwater bonding strength and green recyclability.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized poly(thioctic acid) via solvent-free ring-opening polymerization using dynamic thiol-disulfide exchange.
- Employed a two-stage curing process: first-stage click reaction (thiol-epoxy) and second-stage carboxyl-epoxy reactions.
- Utilized thioctic acid's adaptive molecular architecture for water expulsion and interfacial interaction.
Main Results:
- Achieved significant underwater bonding strength of up to 16.4 MPa.
- Developed water-resistant long-chain polymers that effectively expel interfacial water.
- Demonstrated green recyclability, allowing for repeated disassembly of the adhesive.
Conclusions:
- The proposed two-stage curing strategy effectively creates robust underwater epoxy adhesives.
- Poly(thioctic acid) serves as a key component for achieving high performance and recyclability.
- This approach offers a promising solution for underwater bonding applications requiring durability and sustainability.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Accelerated Curing of Concrete
426
Accelerating concrete curing is achieved by applying heat and additional moisture. This process accelerates the hydration of the cement, resulting in an earlier strength gain in the concrete. Steam curing is a method wherein the concrete products are either transported through a chamber on a conveyor belt or encased in plastic, allowing steam at atmospheric pressure to circulate freely around them. This process begins with a phase of moist curing that typically lasts between 3 to 5 hours, after...
426
01:20Curing of Concrete
335
The hydration of cement takes place within the water-filled capillary pores. However, environmental elements can disrupt this process by evaporating water from the concrete surfaces. Sealed concrete with a water-cement ratio below 0.5 experiences self-desiccation, leading to water loss. The water loss in concrete is mitigated by curing. This technique involves keeping the concrete saturated to maintain the necessary temperature and moisture conditions, to optimally fill the spaces in the cement...
335
01:22Waterproofing and Anti-Bacterial Admixtures in Concrete
213
Concrete's susceptibility to water absorption is due to the capillary action within the pores of its hydrated cement paste. This action draws water in, creating the need for waterproofing admixtures to prevent such penetration. The efficacy of these admixtures is contingent upon the water pressure, with variations arising from different conditions such as rain, capillary rise, or hydrostatic pressure in structures intended to hold water.
Waterproofing admixtures render concrete hydrophobic,...
Waterproofing admixtures render concrete hydrophobic,...
213
01:22Effect of Sea Water on Concrete
939
Concrete exposed to seawater can undergo degradation like the dissolution of ettringite and gypsum, increasing the material's porosity and decreasing its strength. In contrast, the crystallization of salts within the concrete's pores can cause expansion, particularly above the waterline where evaporation occurs. Nonetheless, this expansion only happens when seawater, enabled by the concrete's permeability, manages to infiltrate the structure.
Concrete in areas between tide marks,...
Concrete in areas between tide marks,...
939
01:12Bonding and Strength of Aggregate
437
The bond between aggregate particles and the cement matrix is significantly influenced by the shape and surface texture of the aggregates. High-strength concretes benefit from a rougher texture, which leads to stronger bonding due to greater adhesion. Angular aggregates with larger surface areas also enhance this bond. The bonding quality, however, is complex to assess as no universally accepted test exists. Good bonding is indicated when a crushed concrete specimen shows some aggregate...
437
01:26Curing Methods
262
Concrete members with a small surface-to-volume ratio are cured by oiling and moistening the forms before casting the concrete member. These forms can be left in place for a prolonged period to prevent moisture loss, and can be wetted if made of a material suitable for wetting. If the forms are removed early, the concrete member is moistened and covered with polythene sheets to maintain moisture. For large horizontal concrete surfaces exposed to dry weather, a temporary covering is suspended...
262