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Biocompatible, Tunable, Multifunctional Adhesive Silk-PDA Composite Films for Modern Labeling Needs
Summary
Scientists have created a new sticky label material made from silk protein and a mussel-inspired adhesive compound (instead of plastic-based glues), which could replace conventional product labels that often shed microplastics into the environment and make recycling harder. This biodegradable alternative can be customized to be more or less sticky, water-resistant, or quick to break down, offering a practical way to cut down on the microplastic pollution that ends up in our water, food, and eventually our bodies.
Adhesive labels are massively used in production processes and are ubiquitously present in nearly every product. However, their use often complicates the recycling of the materials they are applied to or leads to fragmentation, dispersing microplastics into the environment. We present here biopolymer-based adhesive films suitable for labeling applications by leveraging silk polymorphism in combination with mussel-inspired chemistry. Incorporating dopamine into the polymeric matrix introduces water-triggered adhesive properties and a plasticizing effect. Its utility can be further augmented through the addition of glycerol, which enables the formation of flexible and insoluble adhesive films. The versatility of form and function of the base biomaterial allows reshaping of protein films on demand and to create functional adhesive surfaces with tunable properties, opening possibilities for programmable biomaterial-based interfaces, that can be used either as laminates on a variety of different substrates or as standalone labels. Adhesive strength, preferred breakage interface, and degradation rates in water can all be customized to meet specific requirements underscoring the versatility and applicability of the platform.