We demonstrate a soft photonic bio-adhesive material with real-time colorimetric monitoring of switchable adhesion behavior by utilizing a responsive bio-photonic matrix with the dynamic hydrogen-bonding network. Synergetic materials sequencing generates a unique iridescent appearance directly coupled with both adhesive ability and mechanical strength in a highly reversible manner.  The responsive photonic materials, possessing a strong physically hydrogen-bonded chiral nematic organization, vary their adhesion strength due to a transition in cohesive and interfacial failure mechanism in the humid surrounding. The dynamic hydrogen bonding characteristics enabled the vivid color appearance to shift from blue to red and transparent reversibly, allowing tunable chiral helicoidal organization and mechanical strength. Such reversible strength-adhesion-iridescence triple-coupling phenomenon has never been observed before and is further explored as super-strong switchable bio-adhesives for synthetic/biological surfaces with quick remotely-prompted sticky/non-sticky transitions, easily removable conformal soft stickers, wound dressings with visual monitoring of the healing process, and colorimetric stickers for contaminated respiratory masks.

Self-reporting reversible photonic bio-adhesive materials

ACS Fall 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.