Dynamic Interfacial Adhesion through Cucurbit[n]uril Molecular Recognition |
| |
Authors: | Dr Ji Liu Dr Cindy Soo Yun Tan Prof Oren A Scherman |
| |
Institution: | 1. Melville Laboratory for Polymer Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK;2. Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia |
| |
Abstract: | Supramolecular building blocks, such as cucurbitn]uril (CBn])‐based host–guest complexes, have been extensively studied at the nano‐ and microscale as adhesion promoters. Herein, we exploit a new class of CBn]‐threaded highly branched polyrotaxanes (HBP‐CBn]) as aqueous adhesives to macroscopically bond two wet surfaces, including biological tissue, through the formation of CB8] heteroternary complexes. The dynamic nature of these complexes gives rise to adhesion with remarkable toughness, displaying recovery and reversible adhesion upon mechanical failure at the interface. Incorporation of functional guests, such as azobenzene moieties, allows for stimuli‐activated on‐demand adhesion/de‐adhesion. Macroscopic interfacial adhesion through dynamic host–guest molecular recognition represents an innovative strategy for designing the next generation of functional interfaces, biomedical devices, tissue adhesives, and wound dressings. |
| |
Keywords: | cucurbit[n]uril interfaces polyrotaxanes stimuli-responsive materials supramolecular adhesives |
|
|