Metal Mimics: Lightweight, Strong, and Tough Nanocomposites and Nanomaterial Assemblies

Abstract

The ideal structural material would be high strength and stiffness, with a tough ductile failure, all with a low density. Historically, no such material exists, and materials engineers have had to sacrifice a desired property during materials selection, with metals (high density), fibre composites (brittle failure), and polymers (low stiffness) having fundamental limitations on at least one front. The ongoing revolution of nanomaterials provides a potential route to build on the potential of fibre-reinforced composites, matching their strength while integrating toughening behaviours akin to metal deformations all while using low weight constituents.Here, the challenges, approaches, and recent developments of nanomaterials for structural applications are discussed, with an emphasis on improving toughening mechanisms -often the neglected factor in a field which chases strength and stiffness.

Understanding and controlling the covalent functionalisation of graphene

“…Graphenederived materials have been applied to a vast range of applications, as diverse as structural composites, photonics, transistors, drug delivery, superconductors, sensors, nanofiltration, and isotopic enrichment. [9][10][11][12] To adapt graphene to these opportunities, the intrinsic properties are often manipulated using chemical functionalisation, for example, to open a band gap, or increase solubility, electronic conductivity, biocompatibility, or wetting/interfacial adhesion. In addition, a range of specific functions may be introduced, for example, by grafting a biomarker, a fluorophore, an (electro)catalyst, or sorbent.…”

Наноиндентирование И Механические Свойства Материалов В Субмикро- И Наношкале. Недавние Результаты И Достижения (О Б З О Р)

“…Сочетание высокой прочности (до 1.5−2 GPa) и малой плотности (∼ 1500 kg/m 3 ) позволяет им с успехом вытеснять металлы и сплавы в конструкциях летательных аппаратов и ракетно-космической техники, автомобилей и маломерных судов, в спортивном инвентаре и изделиях для медицины, развлечений и быта [212]. Как правило, они конкурентоспособны в тех случаях, когда требуются высокие удельные механические характеристики (т. е. нормированные на плотность материала), и критерий низкой стоимости не стоит на первом месте [213,214]. Достаточно сказать, что содержание этих материалов в последних моделях лайнеров от компаний Boeing и Airbus доведено до 50% и более от сухой массы самолета.…”

Carbon nanotube-reduced graphene oxide fiber with high torsional strength from rheological hierarchy control

“…T he assembly of nanomaterials into well-ordered, hierarchical structures is established as a route to improve properties [1][2][3] . The low-dimension allotropes of carbon, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene, are common nanomaterials for structural applications due to their high intrinsic mechanical properties, low densities, and supplementary functional properties such as high thermal/electrical conductivities.…”