(563d) Dual-Stages Biomimetic Adhesives

Mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs) are ideal candidates for effective tissue adhesives and orthopedic sealants. They are natural products from marine organisms which are friendly to the environment with high curing rate, biocompatibility, and outstanding mechanical property. In our work, a predominant functional chemical in mussel adhesive proteins, the dopamine, was introduced to poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) to form a straightforward biomimetic material, PAADopa. Under suitable metal-chelating method, new phenomenon of coacervate adhesives and the subsequent hydrogel adhesives during the cross-linking process were found. The coacervate adhesives were formed instantly by mixing PAADopa and zinc liquid, which could be easily cured near body-temperature and show robust mechanical property compared to popular commercial glue under both dry and wet conditions. With pH trigger, coacervates could be changed into hydrogel which showed perfect self-healing property and adjustable modulus. The obtained water-born coacervate and hydrogel adhesives should be ideal candidates for the clinical adhesives and biomaterials.