Tuning polymer microstructure produces adhesive stickier than super glue

Melted glue

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Manipulating monomer stereochemistry controls polymer properties

By manipulating the microstructure of a biodegradable polyester, researchers in the US have developed a recyclable adhesive polymer that’s even stronger than super glue. Through careful control of the order and orientation of monomer units, the team were able to tune both the adhesive and thermomechanical properties, engineering the polymer for a variety of real-world applications.