Structure of Algal‐Born Phenolic Polymeric Adhesives

Summary: Adhesive materials extracted from the brown alga Fucus serratus are composed of phenolic polymer, alginate, and CaCl 2 . The phenolic polymer undergoes an oxidation reaction in the presence of bromoperoxidase, KI, and H 2 O 2 . The nanostructure of the adhesive was investigated using small angle X‐ray scattering, light scattering, and cryo‐ transmission electron microscopy experiments. These have shown that the phenolic polymer undergoes self‐assembly and forms flexible chain‐like objects. Oxidation or adding alginate does not alter this structure. However, once calcium ions are added, a rigid network is formed. Presumably, this network is responsible for the cohesive strength of the glue. A schematic illustration of the spatial arrangement of the glue: oxidized polyphenol encapsulated by the alginate gel network. magnified image A schematic illustration of the spatial arrangement of the glue: oxidized polyphenol encapsulated by the alginate gel network.