An Underwater Long-Term Strong Adhesive Based on Boronic Esters with Enhanced Hydrolytic Stability

Boron-based adhesives have attracted considerable attention in recent years due to their strong adhesive behavior and reversible capacities. However, limited by the humidity sensitivity and poor dynamicity, it remains challenging for the boron-based adhesive materials to realize strong and long-term adhesion underwater. In this study, a novel boronic ester (BN-6) with changeable ring strain induced by the heat-responsive B-N coordination bond is designed and synthesized. Due to the low strain of the six-membered ring at ambient conditions and the high strain of the ten-membered ring at elevated temperature, BN-6 exhibits enhanced hydrolytic/thermal stabilities as well as dynamicity. The model dynamic crosslinking polymers containing BN-6 linkages present significantly improved water-resistance and recyclability. Specifically, based on the hydrolytically stable whilst kinetically active boronic ester linkage, a strong and recyclable adhesive material is successfully prepared. Long-term adhesion performance under water and harsh conditions is realized on different substrates, with the maximum adhesion strength of 4.21 MPa. The report provides a novel chemical strategy for designing stable and dynamic boronic ester linkages and the synthesized adhesive has pioneered in the field of long-term underwater application of boron-based adhesives.

Automated summary

Boron-based adhesives have attracted attention due to their strong adhesive behavior and reversible capacities, but achieving strong and long-term adhesion underwater remains challenging. In this study, a novel boronic ester linkage was designed and synthesized to enhance hydrolytic/thermal stabilities and dynamicity. The synthesized adhesive demonstrates improved water-resistance and recyclability, providing a novel chemical strategy for designing stable and dynamic boronic ester linkages.