News

09-10-2024

Publication: LignoSwitch – a robust yet reversible bioaromatic superglue for enhanced materials circularity and ecodesign

Many conventional adhesives suffer from a lack of renewability as they are typically derived from fossil-based resources and engineered solely for strong adhesion without easy reversibility. As a result, the absence of reversibility significantly limits the recyclability of valuable substrates that are bonded together, exacerbating waste formation. Therefore, Biorizon co-initiator VITO and Vrije Universiteit Brussel designed a reversible superglue from lignin and vegetable oils promoting a more circular approach to adhesive design, improving sustainability and resource efficiency.

In this work, the researchers combined biobased resources (lignin and vegetable oil) with reversible chemical bonds based on Diels-Alder chemistry. These reversible bonds are triggered by temperature, facilitating the bonding and debonding of various substrates on demand. Within the publication, a comprehensive explanation of the adhesive chemistry and structure-property relationship is described. Furthermore, the benefits of these adhesives are illustrated through compelling proof-of-concept designs, providing visual representations of their potential applications. 

More information

If you want more information about this study or about the possibilities to collaborate with Biorizon to jointly develop bio-based and reversible adhesives, please contact Biorizon’s Lignin Horizon manager Roel Vleeschouwers at roel.vleeschouwers@vito.be or +32 (0)4 74 94 99 09.