Tropoelastin-Inspired, Non-Ionic, Self-Coacervating Polyesters as Strong Underwater Adhesives

21 October 2019, Version 1
This content is a preprint and has not undergone peer review at the time of posting.

Abstract

Inspired from the one-component self-coacervation of tropoelastin and mussel foot protein-3s, we created the first non-ionic, single component coacervates that can coacervate in a all ranges of pH (acidic to basic) and wide range of ionic strengths with degradability, rapid curing and strong underwater adhesion. In contrast to the complex coacervates, these ‘charge-free’ coacervates are potential candidates as tissue adhesives and sealants, adhesives for sensor attachment to wet skin, and as sprayable adhesives. Their potential use in the clinic arises from their enhanced stability to changes in external conditions, cytocompatibility, biodegradability and modular nature in incorporating various functional groups and crosslinkers.

Keywords

thermoresponsive polymer
Coacervates
Underwater Adhesive
Polyesters
elastin-like polymer coacervates
mussel-inspired adhesives
Catechol Polymers
bioinspired adhesives
Biodegradable Polyesters
non-ionic polymer
one-component coacervate

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