Robust Transient Semi-Glue Tape: Ultrastrong Adhesion Empowered by Water Activation and Self-Locking

In adhesive industry, tapes are renowned for their superior flexibility, repeatability, and ease of storage compared to glues. However, conventional adhesive tapes often suffer from low adhesion strength (<500 kPa). This work introduces an innovative adhesive tape composed of an amphiphilic copolymer and a hydrophobic ionic liquid, achieving an ultrahigh adhesion strength of up to 3.1 MPa on various substrates, making a record-high strength to date for tape-type adhesives. This exceptional adhesion performance is facilitated by water droplets applied at the bonding interface, transforming the adhesive surface into a glue-like property without the need for curing treatments or additional auxiliary equipment. By combining the advantageous features of both glues and tapes, these adhesives are termed as transient semi-glue tapes (TSGT). The mechanism behind such water activation and self-locking process is elucidated, and a general preparation approach is developed. Furthermore, the repeatability and recyclability of TSGT are demonstrated, offering an ingenious solution to this long-standing engineering challenge.