Advanced composites are used in a variety of industrial applications and therefore attract much scientific interest. We recently developed a novel carbon‐based nanocomposite via incorporation of graphene oxide (GO) into the crystal lattice of single crystals of calcite [1]. Incorporation of a 2D organic material into single‐crystal lattices has never before been reported. To characterize the resulting nanocomposites, high‐resolution synchrotron powder X‐ray diffraction, electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy and nanoindentation tests are employed. A detailed analysis reveals a layered distribution of GO sheets incorporated within the calcite host (Fig. 1). Moreover, the optical and mechanical properties of the calcite host are altered when a carbon‐based nanomaterial is introduced into its lattice. Compared to pure calcite, GO/calcite composite crystals exhibit lower elastic modulus and higher hardness. The results of this study show that the incorporation of a 2D material within a 3D crystal lattice is not only feasible but also can lead to the formation of hybrid crystals exhibiting new properties.
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