A Strong Antifreeze Adhesive with Excellent Low-Temperature Operability

Abstract

As a result of the freezing of any components in the polymerization system, including solvents, monomers, and initiators, low-temperature in situ curing is difficult to achieve for adhesives. Here, we report an antifreeze aqueous precursor that still exhibits fluidity and in situ curing properties at −60 °C, which is below the freezing point of any component in this system. Calcium ions act not only as antifreeze agents to lower the freezing point of precursors significantly but also as cross-linking points to enhance the cohesive properties of the system after polymerization. As monomers, acrylic acid and N-(hydroxymethyl)acrylamide also enhance hydration, further lowering the freezing point of the precursor. The viscosity of the precursor is regulated by amylopectin without affecting the freezing point of the system. Using nonheated ultraviolet light to initiate polymerization, this antifreeze system can serve as a wide-temperature adhesive with a bonding strength of up to megapascals. This low-temperature polymerization system provides a low-temperature in situ adhesive and more possibilities for the low-temperature application of polymers.