Spatially confined hydration for robust underwater adhesion
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Underwater adhesion has long been limited by interfacial water’s paradoxical role as both bonding mediator and failure initiator. We present a confined hydration adhesive tape (CHAT) that harnesses water as a molecular architect through spatial hydration management. By confining water penetration to sub–8-micrometer depths, we create a dynamic interface where hydration-activated hydrogen bonds enable adaptive, high-density interfacial connections, and hydrophobic nanodomains maintain bulk integrity via entropic water exclusion. This orchestrated hydration yields an interfacial toughness of 6 kilojoules per square meter (>1.8× literature benchmarks; 1.4 to 3.8× commercial tapes), while preserving stability across harsh conditions (pH 1 and 13, 3.5% saline). Multiscale experiments and simulations reveal water’s triple role as a hydrogen bond catalyst at the interface, a dynamical reorganizer of supramolecular networks, and a mechanical decoupler of interfacial adhesion/bulk cohesion. By establishing interfacial water as a design variable rather than a compromise, CHAT opens avenues for marine, biomedical, and industrial applications where water-resistant adhesion is critical.
Date Issued
2025-11-05
Date Acceptance
2025-10-08
Citation
Science Advances, 2025, 11 (45)
ISSN
2375-2548
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Journal / Book Title
Science Advances
Volume
11
Issue
45
Copyright Statement
© 2025 the Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. Distributed under a creative commons Attribution License 4.0 (CC BY).
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41191761
Subjects
CATECHOL
Multidisciplinary Sciences
POLYMERS
Science & Technology
Science & Technology - Other Topics
SURFACE
TAPE
WET
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
United States
Article Number
eaea3097
Date Publish Online
2025-11-05