Dynamic Boronate Adhesive Composition for Strong Recyclable Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adhesives are either brittle and strong but not ductile, or ductile but not strong, making them unsuitable for structural applications, and most adhesives are permanent and not recyclable, leading to environmental issues.
Innovation Solution
A crosslinked adhesive composition with dynamic covalent boronate linkages that combines toughness, strength, and recyclability, using polymers and solid particles crosslinked via boronate linkages, allowing for exceptional adhesion and rebonding capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If permanent adhesives are used to achieve strong bonding, then adhesion strength is improved, but recyclability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic covalent chemistry by incorporating boronate ester bonds that can reversibly break and reform. These dynamic bonds allow the adhesive to maintain strong bonding under service conditions while enabling removal and recycling when needed. The boronate ester bonds dynamically exchange with boronic acid groups, allowing controlled debonding and rebonding cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in pH and temperature parameters to control the stability of boronate ester bonds. At service conditions (neutral pH, room temperature), the bonds are stable and provide strong adhesion. Under recycling conditions (adjusted pH or elevated temperature), the bonds reversibly break, enabling removal. This parameter-dependent behavior resolves the contradiction between strength and recyclability.
2Strength
If brittle adhesives are used to achieve high strength, then adhesion strength is improved, but toughness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite adhesive system combining polymer matrix with dynamic boronate crosslinks. The polymer provides ductility and toughness, while the dynamic boronate crosslinks provide reversible strong bonding. This composite structure integrates the advantages of both brittle (strong bonding) and ductile (toughness) materials, resolving the strength-toughness contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic parameter changes in the crosslink density through boronate ester bond exchange. The crosslink density can dynamically adjust based on stress conditions, allowing the material to exhibit brittle-like behavior under low stress (maintaining strength) and ductile-like behavior under high stress (absorbing energy), thus resolving the strength-toughness trade-off.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adhesive composition exhibits high adhesion strength, work of debonding, and reprocessability, providing mechanical, thermal, and chemical resistance, suitable for various surfaces and enabling recyclability.
Implementation Method 1
dynamic covalent interactions that impart toughness, exceptional strength, and ductility, along with reprocessability and recyclability
Implementation Method 2
crosslinked via boronate linkages, allowing for exceptional adhesion and rebonding capabilities
Implementation Method 3
The designed multi-phase material exhibits exceptionally high adhesion strength and work of debonding along with a rebonding capability
Implementation Method 4
the ductile adhesives, such as adhesives on tapes, generally possess a low level of adhesion but can dissipate mechanical stress through a soft matrix, thereby preventing sudden bond failure
Implementation Method 5
outstanding mechanical, thermal, and chemical resistance properties
Implementation Method 6
outstanding mechanical, thermal, and chemical resistance properties
Implementation Method 7
outstanding mechanical, thermal, and chemical resistance properties
Data Source
AI summary
A crosslinked adhesive composition comprising: (i) a polymer; (ii) solid particles embedded within the polymer; and (iii) a multiplicity of boronate linkages crosslinking between the polymer and solid particles, wherein the boronate linkages have the formulawherein the polymer and particles are connected to each other through the boronate linkages, and the crosslinked adhesive composition has an ability to bond surfaces and a further ability to thermally debond and rebond the surfaces. Also described herein is a method of bonding first and second surfaces together, the method comprising placing the above-described crosslinked adhesive composition onto the first surface and pressing the second surface onto the crosslinked adhesive composition on the first surface.