Evaluating the differences of adhesion strength between mussel-inspired and conventional soy protein adhesives: A critical review

Abstract

The quest for sustainable and high-performance adhesives has driven extensive research into bio-based alternatives, with soy protein (SP) emerging as a promising candidate. Inspired by the remarkable adhesion mechanisms of marine mussels, recent studies have explored biomimetic strategies—such as dual crosslinking, organic-inorganic hybridization, and sacrificial bond mechanisms—to enhance the bonding strength and water resistance of SP-based adhesives. This review examines the effectiveness of these mussel-inspired modifications compared to conventional crosslinking approaches in SP adhesives. Surprisingly, the improvements in adhesive performance, particularly in terms of bonding strength and water resistance, were only marginally superior to those achieved through non-biomimetic modifications. This finding suggests that while mussel-inspired strategies offer valuable insights, further refinement is necessary to fully harness their potential. Specific technical directions, such as designing SP-specific mussel-inspired peptide segments, incorporating catechol-functionalized crosslinkers, and optimizing redox-responsive or pH-sensitive bonding mechanisms, represent promising routes for improvement. By critically evaluating these approaches, this review also highlights opportunities for advancing SP-based adhesives through novel crosslinking techniques, cost-effective formulations, and processing methods. The insights provided herein pave the way for future innovations in bio-based adhesives.