One-Pot Synthesis of Polyelectrolyte-Triazine Gels Using Cation-π Interactions and Multiple Hydrogen Bonds for Adjustable Interfacial Adhesion

The poor adhesion performance of typical gels still remains a challenge to find a simple method to achieve strong and reversible adhesion with the existence of water. Here, a poly(acryloyloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride-co-2-vinyl-4-6-diamino-1,3,5-triazine) (P(DAC-co-VDT)) gel with high and adjustable interfacial adhesion is fabricated by combining cation-triazine pi interaction and multiple hydrogen bonding and through a one-pot route. Characterization of the gels reveals that the two types of interactions are introduced into the gel network and that the gel-gel and gel-glass interfacial adhesion can be readily adjusted in a wide range from 15.98 to 123.60 kPa. This approach enables the creation of high-strength composites using P(DAC-co-VDT) gel as matrix, anionic monomer sodium p-styrene sulfonate as ion concentration adjustor, and discrete quartz sands as filler with easy and repeated moldability and self-healing capability.

Automated summary

A method of fabricating a gel with high and adjustable interfacial adhesion has been developed by combining different interactions. The adhesion between gel-gel and gel-glass can be easily adjusted. This method also enables the creation of high-strength composites with good moldability and self-healing capability.