Mistletoe berry glue bonds even nonstick Teflon and can be reactivated with heat
Mistletoe is best known from winter traditions as a symbol of luck and affection. For trees, however, the hemiparasitic plant can be a burden: It draws water and nutrients from its hosts. Now the plant could provide a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based industrial adhesives.
A sustainable adhesive derived from mistletoe berries has been developed by researchers, potentially revolutionizing industrial bonding applications. This bio-based adhesive, primarily composed of natural sugars from the plant, demonstrates remarkable bonding capabilities across a wide range of materials, including wood, metal, glass, and even non-stick Teflon.
The adhesive's unique feature lies in its ability to be reactivated multiple times by applying heat, making repairs and recycling much easier, especially in applications like electronic devices. Tests revealed that the adhesive achieves shear strengths exceeding 10 megapascals, placing it within the range of conventional technical adhesives.
The adhesive maintains its bonding performance even under extreme cold temperatures, as low as -150°C, and can be detached and reactivated at around 90°C. However, the current production process relies on processing mistletoe berries, which might hinder its scalability for large-scale manufacturing.
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