Light-Driven PAA Adhesive: A Green Bonding Platform Integrating High-Performance, Environmental Resilience, and Closed-Loop Recyclability.

Abstract

The increasing demand for environmentally benign materials has driven significant interest in water-based adhesives due to their low toxicity and ecological advantages. However, conventional formulations face persistent challenges including limited bonding strength, complex manufacturing processes, and compromised storage stability. To address these limitations, a polyacrylic acid-based aqueous adhesive (PAA) is developed through a novel visible-light catalytic platform. This approach ensures a mild catalytic cycle, thereby promoting sustained stability. The strategic integration of hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and mechanical interlocking enhances interfacial adhesion. Notably, the adhesive demonstrates an adhesion strength of up to 20.86 MPa on wood and 12.91 MPa on bamboo substrates. Its composition confers stability across diverse environmental conditions, including extreme temperature variations (-196 °C-200 °C), prolonged storage (> 270 days), and resistance to mechanical stress and solvent exposure. Furthermore, PAA exhibits full recyclability through a water-mediated dissociation and recovery process. This study represents a pioneering application of novel visible-light catalysis in adhesive synthesis, advancing the development of sustainable high-performance bonding systems.