Recyclable glue bonds underwater in seconds and holds for years
Schematic of the underwater Marangoni effect between an ionic liquid solution and water. The direction of the white arrow indicates the Marangoni flow of DMSO solvent. Credit: Nature Communications (2026). DOI:...
Most glues need a dry surface to stick properly. Bonding materials underwater is challenging because water forms a thin film on any surface, so instead of an adhesive touching a material directly, it touches a layer of water, which weakens the bond. But scientists from China have now created a superglue that repels water and forms a strong, recyclable bond within seconds, as they report in a paper published in Nature Communications.
How the glue works
To make their glue, the research team synthesized a supramolecular ionic liquid, a salt-like material whose molecules are held together by temporary, reversible interactions. They mixed it with a solvent called dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and applied the solution directly onto submerged objects made of ceramic, copper, epoxy resin and polyamide.
When the mixture hits the underwater surface, differences in surface tension trigger a rapid motion called Marangoni flow that disrupts the thin layer of water on the surface. The DMSO solvent then diffuses outward, causing the molecules to reassemble into a tough, water-resistant adhesive within seconds.
"Marangoni flow not only speeds up supramolecular aggregation but also effectively penetrates hydration layers," noted the study authors in their paper.
The adhesive, which the researchers named BP16TPB, reached a bonding strength of 1.1 megapascals on ceramic after only 10 seconds. Within five minutes, this had risen to 1.3 megapascals. The adhesive's ability to work underwater comes from its unusual self-assembly process. As the solvent leaves, the molecules form a network of temporary bonds that gives the material its strength.
In a long-term test, a joint bonded with BP16TPB held a 2-kilogram weight (4.4 pounds) underwater for more than three years without failing. It also formed strong bonds with copper, epoxy resin and polyamide in acidic, alkaline and salty water.
The scientists also demonstrated that the glue could be reused. They dissolved it back into the DMSO solvent to return it to its liquid state and then reapplied it to stick new surfaces together. They repeated this up to eight times, and the glue showed no observable drop in adhesion performance.
Marine applications
The glue is not yet ready for market because challenges remain. For example, adhesive performance drops significantly above 70°C (158°F). But if it becomes available, it could find a range of uses. These include the repair and maintenance of ships and offshore platforms, sealing leaking underwater pipelines and attaching environmental sensors to ocean structures.
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Publication details
Qinyu Hu et al, Macroscopic assembly of supramolecular coacervates for underwater adhesion, Nature Communications (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-76507-2
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Citation: Recyclable glue bonds underwater in seconds and holds for years (2026, August 12) retrieved 12 August 2026 from https://phys.org/news/2026-08-recyclable-bonds-underwater-seconds-years.html
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