Mimicking Oyster Reefs to Generate Cements with Enhanced Performance

Oysters construct reef structures by bonding together with cement. This unique adhesive is made from mostly inorganics (∼85% CaCO 3 ) with a minor portion of organics (∼12%). Phosphorylated proteins may be a key component within this binder. Such insights are used here to design a new class of biomimetic polymer-modified cements. Systematic variations to the polymer design, functional groups, polymer loading, CaCO 3 content, particle size, and cure temperature are all examined. Commercial masonry sealants provide benchmarks. The optimized system was examined alone and also in combination with commercial mortar mix. Significant enhancements to adhesion and compressive strength were found. These results show that a biomimetic approach to designing cement is a promising route to higher performance in one of the most widely produced man-made materials.