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DOE OSTI · 2574474

High-performance reversible adhesive from PET waste for underwater, structural, and pressure-sensitive applications

Danielson, Mary K. [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000285426777)·Sumpter, Bobby G. [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000163410355)·Demchuk, Zoriana [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000326292235)·Gainaru, Catalin [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000182956433)·Pan, Chuyi [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0009000713206306)·Saito, Tomonori [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000245367530)·Rahman, Md Anisur [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000271909751)
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Abstract

Developing versatile, tough, and sustainable adhesives that function effectively in both wet and dry environments is a major challenge. Here, we report a bioinspired design for versatile, tough, and reversible adhesives upcycled from consumer poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste. Our approach uses solvent-free, room-temperature dynamic cross-linking of deconstructed PET macromonomers with a diacetoacetate cross-linker, generating a dynamic, vinylogous urethane–bonded, amphiphilic adhesive. Tunable cross-linker concentration and amphiphilicity yield versatile adhesives suitable for underwater, structural, and pressure-sensitive applications on diverse substrates. Our adhesive exhibits high lap-shear strength and work of debonding under both wet and dry conditions, outperforming common commercial adhesives. The dynamic bonds enable thermal repair, on-demand multicycle debonding/rebonding, facile removal, and chemical recycling. Our strategy of transforming plastic waste into versatile, tough, and reversible adhesives offers a sustainable solution for both plastic waste management and next-generation adhesive design while also providing a commercially viable pathway for valorizing plastic waste.

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Danielson, Mary K. [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000285426777), Sumpter, Bobby G. [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000163410355), Demchuk, Zoriana [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000326292235), Gainaru, Catalin [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000182956433), Pan, Chuyi [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0009000713206306), Saito, Tomonori [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000245367530), Rahman, Md Anisur [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000271909751). 2025-07-23. High-performance reversible adhesive from PET waste for underwater, structural, and pressure-sensitive applications. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adw1288

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