High Performance Underwater Adhesives: Synthetic Analogs of Marine Mussel Cement Proteins

We have developed a system of chemically synthesized copolypeptides and chemical oxidants that provide a convenient, easily produced alternative to marine adhesive proteins for underwater adhesion. Our recent mechanistic studies have revealed many interesting features of these copolymers relating to their effectiveness as underwater adhesives. First, that o-quinone is the only chemical functionality required for cross linking opens up many possibilities for the design of moisture resistant adhesives for specialized applications. Second, our discovery that catechol, and not o-quinone, is primarily responsible for adhesion has important ramifications in practical application of these materials. If the polymers is oxidized too rapidly, there will be poor adhesion since all the catechol has been consumed a phenomenon we have observed and which had not previously been considered. Overall, our mechanistic studies have given us tremendous insight into possible ways to improve these materials.