Zwitterionic Superstrong and Reversible Adhesive with High Solvent Resistance and Antibacterial Property

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Traditional strong adhesives often become brittle and are difficult to recycle.
• Existing dynamic adhesives may lack sufficient reversibility and solvent resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a superstrong adhesive with high adhesion strength, reversibility, and solvent resistance.
• To investigate the potential of a novel block copolymer for advanced adhesive applications.

Main Methods:

• Block copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA), methyl methacrylate, styrene, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and quaternary ammonium salt (QAS).
• Characterization of adhesion strength on various substrates (e.g., glass).
• Evaluation of adhesion reversibility via solvent-triggered dynamic bond reorganization.
• Assessment of resistance to organic and aqueous media.
• Testing of antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Main Results:

• The copolymer achieved adhesion strengths exceeding 10.0 MPa, with a maximum of ~20.9 MPa on glass.
• High adhesion reversibility was observed, with 57-94% recovery on different substrates.
• The adhesive demonstrated robust resistance to various organic and aqueous solvents.
• Exceptional antibacterial activity was noted, attributed to QAS and AA components.

Conclusions:

• The developed zwitterionic adhesive offers a unique combination of superstrong adhesion, reversibility, and robustness.
• The integration of diverse molecular interactions enhances its versatility and durability.
• This novel adhesive shows significant promise for demanding applications requiring reliable and recoverable bonding.