Diffusive Adhesives for Water-Rich Materials: Strong and Tunable Adhesion Beyond the Interface

It is notoriously difficult to adhere water-rich materials, such as hydrogels and biological tissues. Existing adhesives usually suffer from weak and nonadjustable adhesion strength, in part because the contact between the adhesive and substrate is largely restrained to the adhesive/substrate interface. In this study, we have attempted to overcome this shortcoming by developing a class of diffusive adhesives (DAs) that can extend adhesion deep into the substrate to maximize the adhesive/substrate contact. The DAs consist of hydrogel matrices and preloaded water-soluble monomers and crosslinkers that can diffuse extensively into the water-rich substrates after adhesive/substrate contact. Polymerization and crosslinking of the monomers are then triggered leading to a bridging network that interpenetrates the DA and substrate skeletons and topologically binds them together. This kind of adhesion, in the absence of adhesive/substrate covalent bonding, is of high strength and toughness, comparable to those of the best-performing natural and artificial adhesives. More importantly, we can precisely tune the adhesion strength on demand by manipulating the diffusion profile. It is envisioned that the DA family could be extended to include a large pool of hydrogel matrices and monomers, and that they could be particularly useful in biological and medical applications.     

UV光引发表面接枝两性离子水凝胶层的制备及抗细菌黏附性能

采用聚合和交联的SiO₂有机/无机杂化溶胶作为基材, 通过与两性离子单体层之间的过渡层, 在紫外光作用下引发杂化溶胶和两性离子单体溶液中的双键反应, 使生成的杂化层在基材和表面的两性离子聚合物之间形成辅助性黏接作用, 从而在基材表面构筑两性离子水凝胶层. 通过傅里叶红外光谱(FTIR)、 原子力显微镜(AFM)和接触角测试等方法对所制备的两性离子水凝胶层和杂化层的表面进行了表征. 以空白玻璃片为对照样品, 以金黄色葡萄球菌和大肠杆菌为试验菌, 研究了用两性离子凝胶层修饰的玻璃表面的抗细菌黏附性能. 结果表明, 在SiO₂杂化过渡层中引入线型-Si-(CH₂)₂-O-链段可有效提高杂化过渡层对基材的附着力, 并改善其柔韧性. 与对照样品相比, 用两性离子凝胶层修饰的玻璃表面具有优异的抗菌黏附性能.     

Novel surface fixation technology of hydrogel based on photochemical method: Heparin-immobilized hydrogelated surface

This article reports a novel photoinduced surface process technology enabling simultaneous hydrogel formation and its surface fixation on polymeric substrates. The process consists of layering two different types of photoreactive coatings on a polymeric surface, an azidophenyl-bearing polymer as an adhesive layer and cinnamoylated copolymer as a hydrogel layer, and subsequent UV irradiation. The photoreactive adhesive polymer coated on a substrate is poly(m-azidostyrene), in which photoreaction of phenyl azido groups is responsible for the chemical bonding between the substrate and hydrogel. N,N-dimethylacrylamide copolymer containing cinnamate moieties in their side chains, which undergo photocrosslinking via intermolecular dimerization, was applied as an overcoat on the adhesive layer. UV irradiation resulted in the formation of hydrogel chemically bonded onto the substrate. This was confirmed by ESCA measurements. A heparin-immobilized hydrogelated surface with controlled release characteristics was demonstrated. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Intramolecular easily polarizable hydrogen bonds with anilides of 1-piperidine carboxylic acids

IR spectra are plotted from anilides of 1-piperidine carboxylic acids C₅H₁₀N(CH₂)_n CONHC₆H₄R in CHCl₃ and CDCl₃ solutions. In the cases of n = 1 and n = 4, weak intramolecular (NH?N) hydrogen bonds are formed. An asymmetrical energy surface occurs and the proton is present at the N of the anilide group. In the cases of n = 2 and n = 3, intramolecular proton transfer hydrogen bonds of the types N_BH?N_P ? ^?N_B?H⁺N_p are formed. In contrast to the intramolecular OH? N ? O^?1 ? H⁺N bonds with 1-piperidine carboxylic acids, these bonds to not cause IR continua but two bands: one in the region 3250–3190 and one in the region 2500–2450 cm^?1. The fact that, instead of IR continua, bands are observed is explained by the following: (1) these hydrogen bonds are relatively long; (2) they show only a narrow distribution of bond length; (3) the electrical fields at these bonds are small, since they are strongly screened.     

1,3-Diamino-2-Hydroxypropane-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>′,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>′-Tetraacetic Acid: Crystal and Molecular Structures

The synthesis, IR spectroscopic study, and X-ray diffraction analysis (CIF file CCDC no. 1574078) are carried out for 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (I). The structural units of a crystal of compound I are (H_4.5HPdta)^0.5– anions, (H_5.5HPdta)^0.5+ cations, and molecules of water of crystallization joined by a branched network of hydrogen bonds: strong intermolecular O–H…O and intramolecular N–H…O bonds.     

IR spectra and structure of poly(vinylamide) complexes with hydrogen peroxide

The IR spectra of anhydrous thin films of hydrogen peroxide complexes with cyclic and aliphatic poly(N-vinylamides) have been studied. Splitting of a band due to stretching vibrations of C=O groups in the IR spectra of the poly(vinylcaprolactam) complex is accounted for by the resonance interaction of v _C=O vibrations of two monomer units linked by a hydrogen peroxide molecule. The formation of a N-H···O=C intramolecular hydrogen bond between neighboring polymer units is responsible for the observed low absorption of hydrogen peroxide by N-vinylamide polymers and copolymers. The energy E _H of hydrogen bonds formed between hydrogen peroxide and polymer chain fragments has been estimated by quantum-mechanical calculations. Depending on the complex structure, the value of E _H varies from 13 to 29 kJ/mol.     

Hydrogen Bonding Enables Polymer Hydrogels with pH-Induced Reversible Dynamic Responsive Behaviors

Poly(acrylic acid-co-N-vinylcaprolactam) (PAN) hydrogels containing multiple hydrogen bonds can exhibit pH-induced reversible dynamic responsive behaviors. When placing a transparent hydrogel in an acid bath, as hydrogen bonds between comonomer units involving protonated COOH groups are formed faster than water diffusion, a nonequilibrium light-scattering state is formed to turn the hydrogel opaque, while as the swelling equilibrium is reached over time, the hydrogel regains its transparency. Likewise, when the transparent, hydrogen-bonded hydrogel is subsequently immersed in DI water, faster water absorption occurs in where more COOH groups are deprotonated, which also generates a light-scattering state leading to opacity, while the transparency is slowly recovered after equilibrium. Using such two-way dynamic transparency evolution, a PAN-based hydrogel material is prepared to demonstrate a dynamic memory system for information memorizing-forgetting and recalling-forgetting.     

Natural underwater adhesives

The general topic of this review is protein‐based underwater adhesives produced by aquatic organisms. The focus is on mechanisms of interfacial adhesion to native surfaces and controlled underwater solidification of natural water‐borne adhesives. Four genera that exemplify the broad range of function, general mechanistic features, and unique adaptations are discussed in detail: blue mussels, acorn barnacles, sandcastle worms, and freshwater caddisfly larva. Aquatic surfaces in nature are charged and in equilibrium with their environment, populated by an electrical double layer of ions as well as adsorbed natural polyelectrolytes and microbial biofilms. Surface adsorption of underwater bioadhesives likely occurs by exchange of surface bound ligands by amino acid sidechains, driven primarily by relative affinities and effective concentrations of polymeric functional groups. Most aquatic organisms exploit modified amino acid sidechains, in particular phosphorylated serines and hydroxylated tyrosines (dopa), with high‐surface affinity that form coordinative surface complexes. After delivery to the surfaces as a fluid, permanent natural adhesives solidify to bear sustained loads. Mussel plaques are assembled in a manner superficially reminiscent of in vitro layer‐by‐layer strategies, with sequentially delivered layers associated through Fe(dopa)₃ coordination bonds. The adhesives of sandcastle worms, caddisfly larva, and barnacles may be delivered in a form somewhat similar to in vitro complex coacervation. Marine adhesives are secreted, or excreted, into seawater that has a significantly higher pH and ionic strength than the internal environment. Empirical evidence suggests these environment triggers could provide minimalistic, fail‐safe timing mechanisms to prevent premature solidification (insolubilization) of the glue within the secretory system, yet allow rapid solidification after secretion. Underwater bioadhesives are further strengthened by secondary covalent curing. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011     

Structure and proton-donating ability of trifluoro-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(2-phenylacetyl)methanesulfonamide

According to the data of quantum-chemical calculations and IR spectroscopy the trifluoro-N-(2-phenylacetyl)methanesulfonamide CF₃SO₂NHC(O)CH₂Ph in the isolated state and in inert media exists in the form of two conformers with the syn- and antiperiplanar orientation of the C=O and N-H bonds. Its self-associates in the CCl₄ solution and in molecular crystals constitute cyclic dimers formed by the NH···O=S bonds and chain dimers with the NH···O=C bonds. As a hydrogen bond donor, trifluoro-N-(2-phenylacetyl)methanesulfonamide is stronger than N-methyltrifluoromethanesulfonamide. Its pK _a in methanol is 5.45, that is 5 pK units lower than for amides CF₃SO₂NHR and 2 pK units higher than for imide (CF₃SO₂)₂NH.     

Underwater adhesive using solid–liquid polymer mixes

Instantaneous adhesion between different materials is a requirement for several applications ranging from electronics to biomedicine. Approaches such as surface patterning, chemical cross-linking, surface modification, and chemical synthesis have been adopted to generate temporary adhesion between various materials and surfaces. Because of the lack of curing times, temporary adhesives are instantaneous, a useful property for specific applications that need quick bonding. However, to this day, temporary adhesives have been mainly demonstrated under dry conditions and do not work well in submerged or humid environments. Furthermore, most rely on chemical bonds resulting from strong interactions with the substrate such as acrylate based. This work demonstrates the synthesis of a universal amphibious adhesive solely by combining solid polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and liquid polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymers. While the dipole-dipole interactions are induced by a large electronegativity difference between fluorine atoms in PTFE and hydrogen atoms in PDMS, strong surface wetting allows the proposed adhesive to fully coat both substrates and PTFE particles, thereby maximizing the interfacial chemistry. The two-phase solid–liquid polymer system displays adhesive characteristics applicable both in air and water, and enables joining of a wide range of similar and dissimilar materials (glasses, metals, ceramics, papers, and biomaterials). The adhesive exhibits excellent mechanical properties for the joints between various surfaces as observed in lap shear testing, T-peel testing, and tensile testing. The proposed biocompatible adhesive can also be reused multiple times in different dry and wet environments. Additionally, we have developed a new reactive force field parameterization and used it in our molecular dynamics simulations to validate the adhesive nature of the mixed polymer system with different surfaces. This simple amphibious adhesive could meet the need for a universal glue that performs well with a number of materials for a wide range of conditions.     

The quartz crystal microbalance: a new tool for the investigation of the bioadhesion of diatoms to surfaces of differing surface energies

Diatoms are a major component of the biofoul layer found on modern low-surface-energy, 'foul release' coatings. While diatoms adhere more strongly to hydrophobic, as opposed to hydrophilic, surfaces, surprisingly little is known of the chemical composition of their adhesives. Even less is known about the underlying processes that characterize the interaction between the adhesive and a given surface, including those of differing wettability. Using the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), we examined differences in the viscoelastic properties of the extracellular adhesives produced by the marine diatoms Amphora coffeaeformis Cleve and Craspedostauros australis Cox interacting with surfaces of differing wettability; 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) that is hydrophilic and 1-undecanethiol (UDT) that is hydrophobic. While the overall delta f/delta D ratios were slightly different, the trends were the same for both diatom species, with the layer secreted upon UDT to be more viscoelastic and far more consistent over several experiments, compared to that on MUA which was less viscoelastic and demonstrated far more variability between experiments. While the nature of the parameter shifts for C. australis were the same for both surfaces, A. coffeaeformis cells settling upon UDT illustrated significant positive f and D shifts during the initial stages of cell settlement and adhesion to the surface. Further experiments revealed the parameter shifts to occur only during the initial adhesion of cells upon the pristine virgin UDT surface. The mechanism behind these parameter responses was isolated to the actin-myosin/adhesion complex (AC), using the myosin inhibitor 2,3-butanedione 2-monoxime (BDM) to remove the cells ability to 'pull' on adhesive strands emanating from the cell raphe. The observations made herein have revealed that adhesives secreted by fouling diatoms differ significantly in their interaction with surfaces depending on their wettability, as well as illustrating the unique mechanics behind the adhesion of A. coffeaeformis upon hydrophobic surfaces, a mechanism that may contribute significantly to the cells success in colonizing hydrophobic surfaces.     

Effect of Al2O3 nanoparticles on the steel-glass/epoxy composite joint bonded by a two-component structural acrylic adhesive

This paper reports a study on the effect of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles on the adhesion strength of steel-glass/epoxy composite joints bonded by a two-component structural acrylic adhesive. The addition of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles to the two-component acrylic adhesive led to a remarkable enhancement in the shear and tensile strength of the composite joints. The shear and tensile strength of the adhesive joints increased by addition of Al₂O₃ up to 1.5 wt%, which decreased by further addition of the nanofiller. Introduction of the nanoparticles caused a reduction in the peel strength of the joints. DSC analysis revealed that the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the adhesives rose by increasing the nanofiller content. The advancing water contact angle was decreased for adhesives containing nanoparticles. SEM micrographs indicated good dispersions of the Al₂O₃ nanoparticles within the acrylic matrix in the specimens with up to 1.5 wt% Al₂O₃ and revealed that addition of nanoparticles altered the fracture morphology from smooth to rough fracture surfaces.     

Supramolecular formation of large hydrogen-bonded rings in the structures of two amino acid derivatives

Two new amino acid derivatives N-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl)-l-valine (PMV) and N,N-bis(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl)-β-alanine (PMA) were synthesized and their structures were determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The geometry and conformation of both molecular aggregates and their hydrogen bond networks are not similar. In the PMV crystal structure, PMV and the solvent water molecule are linked by O–H⋯O intermolecular hydrogen bonds resulting in two ring motifs R₁₂¹²(48) and R₄⁴(22). A three-dimensional supramolecular structure is formed by hydrogen bonds N–H⋯O between the layers. In the PMA crystal structure, each water molecule connects three PMA molecules through O–H⋯O intermolecular hydrogen bonds, and a ring motif R₄⁴(24) is formed in the structure. But there is no hydrogen bond interaction between the layers, in which van der Waals' interaction is involved only.     

Effect of the Amount of Calcium Carbonate as Filler on the Rheological and Adhesion Properties of a Water-Based Polyurethane Dispersion

In this study, the properties of water-based adhesives based on a polyurethane ionomer (PUD) and a micronised CaCO₃ as filler was analysed. Different amounts of a micronised CaCO₃ (5-25 wt%) were added to water-based polyurethane (PUD) adhesive formulations in order to reduce its relatively high cost. The addition of a micronised calcium carbonate filler increased the viscosity, the storage and loss moduli of the PUD adhesives, and imparted pseudoplasticity and thixotropy, more noticeably for the adhesive with the highest calcium carbonate content. The creation of acid-base interactions seemed to be responsible for the improvement in the rheological properties of the PUD adhesives containing CaCO₃ as filler. On the other hand, the addition of CaCO₃ filler might deteriorate the adhesion properties to PUD adhesives.     

1,4‐Diphenyl‐1,4‐di‐4‐pyridyl‐2,3‐diaza‐1,3‐butadiene: weak C—H·N and C—H·π hydrogen bonds

In the title compound, C₂₄H₁₈N₄, each Schiff base molecule is centrosymmetric and interacts with four neighbours via four C—H(Ph)·N(py) hydrogen bonds (py is pyridyl) and four C—H(py)·π(Ph) hydrogen bonds, leading to an interesting two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded layer architecture.     

Metal chelates of N-(2-pyridylmethyl)iminodiacetate(2-) ion (pmda). Part I. Two mixed-ligand copper(II) complexes of pmda with N,N-chelating bases. Synthesis,crystal structure and properties of H2pmda·0.5H2O, [Cu(pmda)(pca)]·3H2O (pca=α-picolylamine) and [Cu(pmda)(Hpb)]·5H2O (Hpb=2-(2′-pyridyl)benzimidazole)

N-(2-Pyridylmethyl)iminodiacetic acid hemi-hydrate (H₂pmda·0.5H₂O) was prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography (final R1=0.042). The zwitterion H₂pmda^± is intra-stabilized by a trifurcated hydrogen bond. Intermolecular carboxylic-carboxylate hydrogen bonds and the parallel inter-ligand π,π-stacking (3.57(2) Å) between pyridyl rings from pairs of adjacent zwitterions generate 2D frameworks (bi-layers with the carboxyl groups towards the external surfaces and py–pmda rings towards the inside). In the crystal, the bi-layered structures are connected by equivalent hydrogen bonds, which link each water molecule to two symmetry related O-carboxylate atoms from the adjacent external faces of two 2D frameworks. The compounds [Cu(pmda)(pca)]·3H₂O (1) and [Cu(pmda)(Hpb)]·5H₂O (2) were obtained by stoichiometric reaction of Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂, H₂pmda·0.5H₂O and α-picolylamine (pca) or 2-(2′-pyridyl)benzimidazole (Hpb), respectively, and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffractometry. Compound 2 was also studied by TG analysis (with FTIR study of the evolved gasses in the pyrolysis), magnetic susceptibility at 80–300 K range, and FTIR, electronic, ESR spectra. In 1 and 2 the copper(II) atom exhibits a distorted octahedral coordination (type 4+1+1) and pmda acts as tripodal tetra-dentate ligand. However, pmda displays different coordination roles. The pmda supplies two N,O-meridional and two trans-apical N(py),O-donors in 1, whereas links the metal by three N,N(py),O-meridional and one O-apical atoms in 2. No π,π-stacking of pyridyl–(pmda) rings is observed in these complexes. The pyridyl–(pca) ring of 1 is not involved in ring–ring stacking interactions, but compound 2 recognizes itself by a roughly anti-parallel π,π-stacking of adjacent Hpb ligands (5.3°, 3.41(2) Å) forming pairs of complex units.     

POSS-modified PEG adhesives for wound closure

PEG-related adhesives are limited in clinical use because they are easy to swell and cannot support the cell growth.In this study,we produced a series of POSS-modified PEG adhesives with high adhesive strength.Introduction of inorganic hydrophobic POSS units decreased the swelling of the adhesives and enhanced cell adhesion and growth.The in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo inflammatory response experiments clearly demonstrated that the adhesives were nontoxic and possessed excellent biocompatibility.Compared with the sutured wounds,the adhesive-treated wounds showed an accelerated healing process in wounded skin model of the Bama miniature pig,demonstrating that the POSS-modified PEG adhesive is a promising candidate for wound closure.     

Unprecedented four-way-output molecular response system based on biphenyl-2,2′-diyldiacridiniums: induction of axial chirality through intramolecular hydrogen bonds between chiral amide groups

Upon the attachment of N-(R)-2-phenylethylamide moieties to the acridinium units of the title dication, intramolecular hydrogen bonds induce a diastereomeric preference in terms of axial chirality (70% de at −40 °C in CH₂Cl₂). Thus, external stimuli induce not only UV-vis and fluorescence spectra changes but also changes in the CD and fluorescence-detected CD (FDCD) spectra, realizing unprecedented four-way-output molecular response systems.     

2:1 Complexes of 2‐chloro‐4‐nitro­benzoic acid and 2‐chloro‐5‐nitro­benzoic acid with pyrazine

2‐Chloro‐4‐nitro­benzoic acid and 2‐chloro‐5‐nitro­benzoic acid form O—H?N hydrogen bonds with pyrazine to afford 2:1 complexes of 2C₇H₄ClNO₄·C₄H₄N₂, (I) and (II), respectively, that are located on inversion centers. The 2C₇H₄ClNO₄·­C₄H₄N₂ units in both complexes are connected by weak C—H?O hydrogen bonds; the units build a three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bond network in (I) and a ribbon structure in (II).     

4,6‐Diaminopyrimidine‐2(1H)‐thione hemihydrate: a three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded framework

In the title compound, C₄H₆N₄S·0.5H₂O, there are two independent pyrimidinethione units, both of which lie across mirror planes in the space group Cmca. Hence, the H atoms bonded to the ring N atoms in each molecule are disordered over two symmetry‐related sites, each having an occupancy of 0.5. The water molecule lies across a twofold rotation axis parallel to [010]. The molecular components of (I) are linked by seven independent hydrogen bonds, of N—H...N, N—H...S, N—H...O and O—H...S types. A combination of disordered N—H...N hydrogen bonds and ordered N—H...S hydrogen bonds links the pyrimidinethione units into a continuous tubular structure. The water molecule acts as both a double donor of hydrogen bonds and a double acceptor, forming hydrogen bonds with components of four distinct pyrimidinethione tubes, thus linking these tubes into a three‐dimensional structure.