Dynamic Boronate Ester Bond Manipulating Catechol Groups for the Design of Functional Adhesive Polymers

Adhesion is essentially the formation of chemical bonds, hydrogen bonds or van der Waals forces at the interface, which is considered as a universal multi-scale interaction. In recent years, on the basis of mussel biomimetic, incorporation of catechol groups into the dynamic boronate ester polymers, has become an important developing direction of functional polymer adhesives. This feature article focuses on the molecular adhesion, micro/nano surface adhesion and macroscopic surface adhesion, as well as introduces the research progress in the functionalization of polymer materials related to the manipulation of catechol groups by using boronate ester bonds. For molecular adhesion, the interaction between catechol groups and guest molecules or ions in the boronate ester polymers, and the corresponding material morphology control and stimuli-responsive behavior are discussed. For micro/nano surface adhesion, the supramolecular driving forces and self-assembly mechanism of boronate ester polymers are analyzed, and the related application in the modification of micro/nano materials is introduced. For macroscopic surface adhesion, the relationship between the manipulation of catechol groups by using boronate ester bonds and the control of adhesion performance is discussed, and the application of boronate ester polymer adhesives in the field of macro-assembly and climbing robot is introduced. Finally, the future and development trend of this field are prospected from the perspective of new boronate ester polymers, precise control over dynamic bonds, and device design and applications. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

This article focuses on the research progress in the functionalization of polymer materials related to the manipulation of catechol groups by using boronate ester bonds. It discusses molecular, micro/nano surface, and macroscopic surface adhesion, as well as their applications in material modification and assembly.