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Stiff and tough PDMS-MMT layered nanocomposites visualized by AIE luminogens
Jingsong Peng1, Antoni P Tomsia1, Lei Jiang1
1School of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China.
Nature Communications
|July 28, 2021
Summary
This study developed nacre-inspired polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-montmorillonite layered (PDMS-MMT-L) nanocomposites. These advanced materials show significantly enhanced Young
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a versatile soft material known for stability and transparency.
- Limitations include difficulty in tuning Young's modulus and low toughness, restricting applications in tissue engineering and flexible electronics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop nacre-inspired polydimethylsiloxane-montmorillonite layered (PDMS-MMT-L) nanocomposites.
- To enhance the mechanical properties of PDMS for advanced applications.
Main Methods:
- Ice-templating technique was employed to create layered PDMS-MMT-L nanocomposites.
- Confocal fluorescence microscopy with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogens was used for 3D reconstruction and in situ crack tracing.
Main Results:
- Achieved a 23-fold increase in Young's modulus and a 12-fold increase in toughness compared to pure PDMS.
- Demonstrated toughening mechanisms including crack deflection and bridging.
- AIE-assisted visualization provided insights into crack propagation in the nanocomposite.
Conclusions:
- Nacre-inspired PDMS-MMT-L nanocomposites offer significantly improved mechanical performance.
- The developed AIE-based visualization technique is a universal characterization method for organic-inorganic nanocomposites.
- These enhanced materials hold promise for tissue engineering and flexible devices.
