Transparent Janus Hydrogel Wet Adhesive for Underwater Self-Cleaning

The optical window is a key part of a sensor specially used for oceanographic detection, but it is often severely affected by marine biofouling and oil pollution, resulting in reduced transparency and lifespan. Hydrogel, as a hydrophilic polymer network, has excellent antifouling effects with good transparency, but it is difficult to adhere to substrates, which greatly limits its practical applications. To solve the above problem, a transparent Janus hydrogel wet adhesive was prepared through modifying poly(vinyl alcohol)/glycerol-tannic acid/Cu²⁺ (PVA/Gly-TA/Cu²⁺) hydrogel with the underwater adhesive poly(dopamine methacrylamide-co-methoxyethyl acrylate) (P(DMA-co-MEA)) via the coordination effect between Cu²⁺ and catechol. Even when coated with adhesive, the sample still retained good transmittance. The presence of Cu²⁺ endowed the hydrogel with better tensile strength and, at the same time, can improve the adhesion of the hydrogel to the substrate through the coordination effect with the adhesive. The tensile stress of Janus hydrogels can even reach 4.4 MPa, and the adhesion strength of the obtained Janus hydrogel can reach about 14 kPa in seawater. Furthermore, the Cu-rich Janus hydrogel presented a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of surface algae. The oil contact angle of the Janus hydrogel was as high as 148° underwater. After the hydrogel was reswollen, there were lower algae densities on the surfaces of the hydrogel and little change in transparency. Considering the above properties, this novel Janus hydrogel is anticipated to be a promising protective material to solve the marine pollution problem confronting optical equipment.