Abstract: A method of adhering two substrates comprising covalently modifying a smooth surface of at least one of the substrates is disclosed. A smooth surface of a first substrate is covalently modified to present groups, which are one member of an acid-base pair (MABP groups). The covalently modified surface is contacted with a smooth surface of a second substrate. The smooth surface of the second substrate presents groups are the acid-base complement of the MABP groups (MABP complements). The interaction of the MABP groups with the MABP complements results in the formation of an adhesive bond between the smooth surface of the second substrate and the covalently modified surface of the first substrate. The MABP complements may inherently be present on the surface of the second substrate or the surface of the second substrate may be modified to present the MABP complements.