Ionic Adhesives: Design Strategies, Performance Mechanisms, and Applications

Ionic adhesives, as a class of smart materials, have garnered considerable scientific interest owing to their distinct physicochemical properties and multifunctional characteristics. This review provides a systematic examination of the design principles, bonding mechanisms, and structure–property relationships governing ion-based adhesive systems. By leveraging dynamic ionic interactions and tailored polymer architectures, these materials exhibit exceptional properties, including tunable adhesion strength, environmental responsiveness, and self-healing capabilities. Their inherent reversibility and adaptability to diverse substrates enable a broad spectrum of applications in flexible electronics, biomedical engineering, and wearable devices. This review also summarizes the current research landscape of ionic adhesives, delineating challenges, and future prospects for their continued development. Ultimately, this work aims to provide theoretical guidance for creating high-performance ionic adhesives for interdisciplinary applications, thereby boosting further advancements in this rapidly evolving field.