Efficient Wet Adhesion through Mussel‐Inspired Proto‐Coacervates

Adhesion underwater is a major challenge. Mussel-inspired complex coacervates functionalized with L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) are proposed for adhesives through versatile chemistry of DOPA, however, simple, efficient, controllable, and nontoxic procedures to harness them still under investigation. In this study, inspired from the mussel byssus formation process, coacervate formed by simple injection an acidic proto-coacervate DOPA polyelectrolytes on surfaces. The initially liquid, it increased in pH due water diffusion, resulting coacervation driven electrostatic interaction, without requirement adjustment or organic solvents. Additionally, liquid–liquid phase separation tuned substituting different pKa, which satisfied real life. coacervate-based glass substrates exhibit strengths comparable commercial glues when dry glue wet, showing high biocompatibility human epidermis vitro.