Purdue Research Foundation

Amelia A Putnam

Jonathan James Wilker

Michael A North

Michael Gabriel Mazzotta

Samuel L Huntington

Michael North

This invention relates to a method for manufacturing a catechol-containing co-polymer through a suspension polymerization or a solution polymerization process. In some illustrative embodiments, this disclosure relates to a process of a free radical suspension polymerization for large-scale manufacturing catechol-containing copolymers. In some other illustrative embodiments, this disclosure relates to a solution polymerization of free radical, cationic, or anionic process for large-scale manufacturing catechol-containing copolymers. The process and the product thereof are within the scope of this disclosure.

Large scale production of catechol-containing polymers

The invention relates to biomimetic adhesive compositions emulating mussel adhesive proteins, wherein multiple chains of a copolymer are interlinked via specific hydrogen bonds and/or ligand-metal-ligand bonds, which serve as sacrificial breakable bonds upon mechanical stress and thereby effectively dissipate the mechanical energy. Accordingly, toughened adhesive compositions with improved ductility and strength may be obtained.

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Mansfield, GA, United States of America

Amelia A Putnam