Biomimetic Underwater Adhesives with Environmentally Triggered Setting Mechanisms

Inspired by the sandcastle worm, fluid complex coacervates of polyelectrolytes were formulated as water-borne underwater adhesives. The partially immiscible fluid phase can be delivered underwater and sets into a weight-bearing solid triggered by a change in the PH or temperature. irreversible hardening occurs through oxidative coupling between catechol and primary amine sidechains.