Crosslinked CO ₂ ‐Based Polycarbonate: Biobased Pressure‐Sensitive Adhesives Combining Wettability and Cohesive Strength

ABSTRACT

CO ₂ ‐based polycarbonates show great potential for application as biodegradable pressure‐sensitive adhesives (PSAs). However, it remains challenging for polycarbonate‐based PSAs to achieve rapid surface wetting while simultaneously maintaining sufficient cohesive strength. To address this issue and improve adhesive performance, we propose a strategy for preparing crosslinked polycarbonate PSAs. As a proof of concept, bio‐derived epoxides, including furfuryl glycidyl ether and n ‐butyl glycidyl ether, were introduced as key monomers to synthesize functionalized CO ₂ ‐based polycarbonates (PBFCs). The crosslinked PSAs were subsequently constructed through a Diels–Alder reaction, while the flexible side chains enabled rapid wetting of the adhesive on the substrate surface. As a result, the static shear adhesion was significantly improved from approximately 0.1 h to over 24 h, accompanied by a tack grade of #2. Notably, the prepared PSAs could be reused for three cycles while maintaining a peel strength of approximately 2 N cm ⁻¹ , and no visible residue was observed on the substrate after peeling. This study develops a series of crosslinked CO ₂ ‐based PSAs from bio‐based epoxides, providing a promising platform for the design of high‐performance biodegradable PSAs.