C. Crane, R. MacQueen
Mussel Polymers, Pennsylvania, United States
Keywords: Catechol-Containing Polymers, Adhesives, Coatings, Energetics, Underwater
Corrosion presents a major challenge to Department of Defense (DoD) platforms, incurring costs exceeding $20 billion annually. To combat this, enhanced protective coatings with strong adhesion are crucial. Researchers, inspired by the adhesive proteins of marine mussels containing catechol functional groups, have developed catechol-containing polymers (CCPs). These polymers form a new class of materials for coatings and adhesives, offering strong adhesion, corrosion resistance, and chemical tunability, making them ideal for high-performance environments. CCPs excel in underwater adhesion, making them suitable for naval asset protection and repair, and they bond strongly to aluminum, which is advantageous in aerospace applications. Mussel Polymers, Inc. (MPI) is the first company to produce CCPs in kilogram quantities, specifically Poly(Catechol-Styrene) (PCS), using scalable synthetic approaches with bio-derived materials. The unique properties of CCPs, such as self-polymerization, adhesion to nearly any surface, and strong reducing capabilities, complicate large-scale synthesis. However, MPI has overcome these challenges by developing proprietary, low-cost, and scalable manufacturing methods. Utilizing MPI’s catechol-based materials can address many DoD needs in mission-critical operational areas. CCPs are a strategic enabler, offering broad impacts across various coating and adhesive applications. Continued support for CCP development is vital to maintain technological superiority in modern defense applications.