March 2, 2011Annual Review of Materials Research1,668 citations
Mussel-Inspired Adhesives and Coatings
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Key Points
- This research aims to understand and replicate the strong adhesive properties of mussels for synthetic applications.
- Characterization of mussel adhesion strategies
- Functionalization of synthetic polymers with catechols
- Development of coatings and sealants inspired by mussel proteins.
- Synthetic polymers with catecholic functionality exhibit enhanced adhesion on wet surfaces.
- Adhesive strength demonstrated significant improvement over traditional adhesives.
- Biomedical applications show promise with new mussel-inspired coating technologies.
Abstract
Mussels attach to solid surfaces in the sea. Their adhesion must be rapid, strong, and tough, or else they will be dislodged and dashed to pieces by the next incoming wave. Given the dearth of synthetic adhesives for wet polar surfaces, much effort has been directed to characterizing and mimicking essential features of the adhesive chemistry practiced by mussels. Studies of these organisms have uncovered important adaptive strategies that help to circumvent the high dielectric and solvation properties of water that typically frustrate adhesion. In a chemical vein, the adhesive proteins of mussels are heavily decorated with Dopa, a catecholic functionality. Various synthetic polymers have been functionalized with catechols to provide diverse adhesive, sealant, coating, and anchoring properties, particularly for critical biomedical applications.
Cite This Study
Lee et al. (2011) studied this question.