Abstract: The present invention is directed to a biodegradable tough adhesive material comprising an interpenetrating networks (IPN) hydrogel comprising a first polymer network and a second polymer network, wherein the first polymer network comprises a first polymer covalently crosslinked with a biodegradable covalent crosslinker and the second polymer network comprises a second polymer crosslinked with ionic or physical crosslinks; a high density primary amine polymer; and a coupling agent. The present invention also provides methods preparing and using the biodegradable tough adhesive material.