Tailoring Bio-Based Adhesives to Bio-Based Polymer Nanocomposite Adhesives – Fundamentals and Hands-On Glances

Abstract

Today’s growing demands for sustainable substitutes for petroleum adhesives have derived scientific interest toward designing bio-sourced ecological and biodegradable materials and nanomaterials. The main purpose of the current manuscript is to highlight progress so far in the field of bio-based polymer nanocomposite adhesives; thereby setting a promising stage for next generation green technologies and for interested researchers/scientists. Accordingly, the state-of‑the-art review systematically covers three important categories of bio-based adhesives, including bio-based epoxy, bio-based polyurethane, and bio-based polyester nanocomposites with carbon nanoparticles (graphene, carbon nanotube, fullerene, nanodiamond, quantum dots) and inorganic nanoparticles (metal/metal oxide, nanoclay nanoparticles). Adding pristine/modified nanoparticles to bio-based epoxies/polyurethanes/polyesters systems valuably enhanced mechanical, thermal, tribological, anticorrosion, and particularly adhesive characteristics. Commonly applied fabrication methods for advanced nanocomposite adhesives include in situ/solution, room temperature/thermal/UV curing, melt blending, three‑dimensional printing, and few sophisticated approaches. According to the existing literature, applications of bio-based epoxy, polyurethane, and polyester nanocomposite adhesives cover aerospace/automotive (structural engineering), pressuresensitive adhesives, sustainable wood adhesives (construction/furniture), and biomedical (biodegradability, orthopedics) sectors. Nevertheless, comprehensive future experimental/theoretical investigations need to be performed for the exploration of optimized nanoparticle/bio-matrix design/modification, manufacturing strategies, interfacial adhesion mechanisms, and structure-property-performance of bio-based polymeric nanocomposite adhesives for replacing traditionally applied petro adhesives in present industrial sectors.