Multiple hydrogen bonds endow single-component solvent-free adhesives with high flexibility and self-healing properties

Abstract

The development of sustainable and multifunctional single-component adhesives is highly desired yet challenging owing to the difficulty of regulating intermolecular interactions. Here, we synthesize a single-component solvent-free adhesive formed via multiple hydrogen bonds, which exhibits good adhesion strength (1.1 MPa), stable adhesion (>10 days), recyclability, flexibility, moldability, self-healing capability, and the ability to repair complex interfaces. Furthermore, theoretical calculations show that the strong interaction energy between the 2-ureido-4(1H)-pyrimidinone moieties is responsible for the formation of the solvent-free adhesive. Therefore, this work presents a novel paradigm for the development of sustainable and eco-friendly adhesives by leveraging the strong intermolecular interactions between terminal UPy moieties.