A removable, antibacterial and strong adhesive based on hyperbranched catechol polymers

Hyperbranched poly(beta amino ester) (HPAE) with abundant catechol groups was prepared through a dynamically controllable “A2 + B4” polycondensation. A strong adhesive hydrogel formed by the crosslink of HPAE with poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) at 25 °C without any external trigger can firmly adhere to metals, plastics, inorganic nonmetallic materials, and wood. Meanwhile, the HPAE/PEI adhesive exhibits excellent antibacterial properties and can be thoroughly and quickly erased by spraying ethanol.