title: Poly(ester urea)-Based Adhesives: Improved Deployment and Adhesion by Incorporation of Poly(propylene glycol) Segments.
abstract: The adhesive nature of mussels arises from the catechol moiety in the 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) amino acid, one of the many proteins that contribute to the unique adhesion properties of mussels. Inspired by these properties, many biomimetic adhesives have been developed over the past few years in an attempt to replace adhesives such as fibrin, cyanoacrylate, and epoxy glues. In the present work, we synthesized ethanol soluble but water insoluble catechol functionalized poly(ester urea) random copolymers that help facilitate delivery and adhesion in wet environments. Poly(propylene glycol) units incorporated into the polymer backbone impart ethanol solubility to these polymers, making them clinically relevant. A catechol to cross-linker ratio of 10:1 with a curing time of 4 h exceeded the performance of commercial fibrin glue (4.8 ± 1.4 kPa) with adhesion strength of 10.6 ± 2.1 kPa. These adhesion strengths are significant with the consideration that the adhesion studies were performed under wet conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron , Akron, Ohio 44325, United States.
authors.forename: Jinjun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron , Akron, Ohio 44325, United States.
authors.forename: Vrushali
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bhagat
authors.affiliation: Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron , Akron, Ohio 44325, United States.|Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Akron , Akron, Ohio 44325, United States.
authors.forename: Matthew L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Becker
keywords: DOPA; adhesion; biomimicry; catechol; mussels; poly(ester urea); poly(propylene glycol)