Ambient air-operated thermo-switchable adhesion of <i>N</i>-isopropylacrylamide-incorporated pressure sensitive adhesives
Jeonguk Hwang, Daegyun Lim, Geonwoo Lee, Young Eun Kim, Jintae Park, Myung-Jin Baek, Hak‐Sun Kim, Keum-Hwan Park, Kang Hee Ku, Dong Woog Lee
Abstract
-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), which possesses thermal-responsive properties; acrylic acid, which endows adhesive properties; and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, which has a low glass transition temperature to attain sufficient flexibility. The synthesized NIPAM-based thermo-switchable PSAs exhibited significantly high peel strength at room temperature (∼15.41 N/25 mm at 20 °C), which decreased by ∼97% upon heating (∼0.46 N/25 mm at 80 °C). Importantly, no residues remained due to the cohesive nature of NIPAM at high temperature. The reversible adhesion behaviour of the thermo-switchable PSAs was retained during repeated heating and cooling cycles. Therefore, the developed thermo-switchable PSA can enhance the reusability and recyclability of valuable materials and minimize the use of toxic chemicals for adhesive removal, contributing to a more sustainable future.