UV-Responsive Sustainable Adhesive Based on Polystyrene-block-Poly(Ethyl Lipoate) Copolymer
발표자
전여진 (금오공과대학교)
연구책임자
최청룡 (금오공과대학교)
초록
내용
Block copolymers (BCPs) are widely used in adhesives due to their self-assembling ability and tunable properties. However, conventional BCP-based adhesives are fossil-fuel-derived, non-degradable, and have fixed adhesion strength. To address these issues, we developed a novel BCP composed of polystyrene (PS) as a hard segment and bio-based poly(ethyl lipoate) (PEtLp) as a soft segment from α-lipoic acid. PS-b-PEtLp was synthesized via base-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization from thiol-terminated PS. Adhesion tests showed higher strength in cylindrical nanostructures than lamellar ones. Notably, disulfide bonds in PEtLp enable reversible, UV-responsive adhesion. Under UV, adhesion decreases by ~50%, allowing easy detachment. Selective depolymerization of the PEtLp block allows full recovery of both EtLp monomer and thiol-terminated PS. This study presents a renewable, degradable, and recyclable adhesive system as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based adhesives.