De Luca, F, Menzel, R, Blaker, JJ et al. (3 more authors) (2015) Nacre-nanomimetics: Strong, Stiff & Plastic. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 7 (48). pp. 26783-26791. ISSN 1944-8252
Abstract
The bricks and mortar in the classic structure of nacre have characteristic geometry, aspect ratios and relative proportions; these key parameters can be retained while scaling down the absolute length scale by more than 1 order of magnitude. The results shed light on fundamental scaling behavior and provide new opportunities for high performance, yet ductile, lightweight nanocomposites. Reproducing the toughening mechanisms of nacre at smaller length scales allows a greater volume of interface per unit volume while simultaneously increasing the intrinsic properties of the inorganic constituents. Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) polyelectrolyte and well-defined [Mg2Al(OH)6]CO3.nH2O layered double hydroxide (LDH) platelets produces a dense, oriented, high inorganic content (∼90 wt %) nanostructure resembling natural nacre, but at a shorter length scale. The smaller building blocks enable the (self-) assembly of a higher quality nanostructure than conventional mimics, leading to improved mechanical properties, matching those of natural nacre, while allowing for substantial plastic deformation. Both strain hardening and crack deflection mechanisms were observed in situ by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) during nanoindentation. The best properties emerge from an ordered nanostructure, generated using regular platelets, with narrow size dispersion.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2015 American Chemical Society. This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, copyright © American Chemical Society after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5b08838 |
Keywords: | nacre-nanomimetic; layer-by-layer assembly; mechanical properties; in situ characterization; “brick-and-mortar” arrangement; deformation mechanisms; plastic deformation |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Chemistry (Leeds) > Inorganic Chemistry (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 03 Mar 2016 10:08 |
Last Modified: | 16 Nov 2016 08:02 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5b08838 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | American Chemical Society |
Identification Number: | 10.1021/acsami.5b08838 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:92230 |