Strong and Tough Layered Nanocomposites with Buried Interfaces

In nacre, the excellent mechanical properties of materials are highly dependent on their intricate hierarchical structures. However, strengthening and toughening effects induced by the buried inorganic–organic interfaces actually originate from various minerals/ions with small amounts, and have not drawn enough attention yet. Herein, we present a typical class of artificial nacres, fabricated by graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) polymer, and multivalent cationic (M^<i>n</i>+) ions, in which the M^<i>n</i>+ ions cross-linking with plenty of oxygen-containing groups serve as the reinforcing “evocator”, working together with other cooperative interactions (<i>e.g.</i>, hydrogen (H)-bonding) to strengthen the GO/CMC interfaces. When compared with the pristine GO/CMC paper, the cross-linking strategies dramatically reinforce the mechanical properties of our artificial nacres. This special reinforcing effect opens a promising route to strengthen and toughen materials to be applied in aerospace, tissue engineering, and wearable electronic devices, which also has implication for better understanding of the role of these minerals/ions in natural materials for the mechanical improvement

Ca²⁺ Enhanced Nacre-Inspired Montmorillonite–Alginate Film with Superior Mechanical, Transparent, Fire Retardancy, and Shape Memory Properties

Inspired by nacre, this is the first time that using the cross-linking of alginate with Ca ions to fabricate organic–inorganic nacre-inspired films we have successfully prepared a new class of Ca²⁺ ion enhanced montmorillonite (MMT)–alginate (ALG) composites, realizing an optimum combination of high strength (∼280 MPa) and high toughness (∼7.2 MJ m^–3) compared with other MMT based artificial nacre. Furthermore, high temperature performance of the composites (with a maximum strength of ∼170 MPa at 100 °C) along with excellent transmittance, fire retardancy, and unique shape memory response to alcohols could greatly expand the application of the mutilfunctional composites, which are believed to show competitive advantages in transportion, construction, and insulations, protection of a flammable biological material, etc

Facile and Universal Superhydrophobic Modification to Fabricate Waterborne, Multifunctional Nacre-Mimetic Films with Excellent Stability

Although numerous kinds of waterborne, nacre-mimetic films with excellent properties have been fabricated via different assembly methods, it remains difficult to put those kinds of lightweight materials into practical applications because they are sensitive to water in the environment. Herein, a simple superhydrophobic modification method was used to enhance the repellency of film to water and/or corrosive liquids in the environment. Furthermore, it lowered the gas transmission rate of the films dramatically and improved the heat and flame shield capabilities. This approach could also be applied to other kinds of nacre-mimetic films, proving to be a versatile, low-cost, fast, and facile method to produce large-area and thick, waterborne, multifunctional films with excellent repellency to water and some corrosive liquids in the environment, which will pave the road for the practical applications of nacre-mimetic films

Facile and Universal Superhydrophobic Modification to Fabricate Waterborne, Multifunctional Nacre-Mimetic Films with Excellent Stability

Although numerous kinds of waterborne, nacre-mimetic films with excellent properties have been fabricated via different assembly methods, it remains difficult to put those kinds of lightweight materials into practical applications because they are sensitive to water in the environment. Herein, a simple superhydrophobic modification method was used to enhance the repellency of film to water and/or corrosive liquids in the environment. Furthermore, it lowered the gas transmission rate of the films dramatically and improved the heat and flame shield capabilities. This approach could also be applied to other kinds of nacre-mimetic films, proving to be a versatile, low-cost, fast, and facile method to produce large-area and thick, waterborne, multifunctional films with excellent repellency to water and some corrosive liquids in the environment, which will pave the road for the practical applications of nacre-mimetic films