Biomimetic Adhesives for Restoration of Coral Reefs

Restoration of coral reefs is dependent upon an ability to adhere young corals, grown in tanks, onto inorganic substrates within the seas. The epoxies in current use do not provide a viable path to restoration owing to poor adhesion underwater, lengthy mixing of components needed, clouds of toxic epoxy precursors released into the water, and extensive diver time needed to clean the underlying coral substrates for enabling bonding. Poly(catechol-styrene) is a biomimetic polymer modeled after the adhesive proteins of marine mussels. Extensive data indicate that this polymer is one of the strongest underwater adhesives seen to date. Furthermore, flexibility with regard to formulation permits tailoring of properties such as viscosity, delivery method, and cure time. Tests planned here will evaluate how changes in solvents, fillers, cross-linkers, and concentration of the polymer affect poly(catechol-styrene)’s adhesive qualities with regard to the efficiency and integrity of coral restoration. These formulations will be used in tanks of sea water for bonding young corals to rocks. In the end, we anticipate having new and promising adhesives for coral restoration efforts on the reefs.