Formulation of catechol-containing adhesives for enhanced underwater bonding and workability

Catechol-containing polymers inspired by marine mussels have gained significant interest in recent years, leading to applications in several fields. Among these polymer systems, poly(vinylcatechol-styrene) (PVCS) has become a popular option due to its exceptional underwater adhesion strength, with r...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Cindy L. Atencio-Martinez, Alexandre Lancelot, Jonathan J. Wilker
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Science and Technology of Advanced Materials
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/14686996.2025.2467617
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Catechol-containing polymers inspired by marine mussels have gained significant interest in recent years, leading to applications in several fields. Among these polymer systems, poly(vinylcatechol-styrene) (PVCS) has become a popular option due to its exceptional underwater adhesion strength, with readily available monomers and diverse synthetic routes being available. However, the translation of any novel adhesive chemistry from academic research to real-world applications can be challenging. Acrylates, epoxies, and urethanes were introduced to markets over half a century ago and remain dominant. However, bonding in wet environments remains lacking. The work presented here addresses this gap by focusing on the formulation of PVCS-based adhesives for conditions outside of the research lab. An emphasis was placed on handling properties when working underwater. A collection of different substrates were bonded together and several commercial glues provided benchmarks. Environmental conditions were studied to broaden the potential applications of PVCS adhesives in underwater settings. By optimizing formulations, we present an adhesive system that retains the superior underwater bonding of PVCS while also offering enhanced workability. This approach may help open the door to utilization of a new adhesive chemistry for underwater applications.
ISSN:1468-6996
1878-5514