Lamination of brick-and-mortar cellulosics with nanocomposite bricks and weak interfaces

Lamination with weak interlaminar interfaces is explored to extend the property range of transparent cellulose nanocomposites, combining structural and functional properties. Each layer is a nanocomposite (nanocellulose/biopolymer, 2D nano-sheet/nanocellulose etc), with thickness 5-100 µm.

Not only are thin layers easier to functionalize (eg for photonic functionality) and prepare with good nanoparticle dispersion and orientation; for hard particle reinforcement they are also stronger. There could be unique constraint effects for such thin lamellae. Intralaminar and interlaminar weak interfaces are "designed defects" to promote bioinspired toughening mechanisms.

The structures are “brick-and-mortar”; each brick is a functional nanocomposite. Activities include improved nanostructures of the bricks: dispersion, orientation and functionalization. Each layer is precut into staggered pattern, to induce intralaminar defects promoting toughness.

For optical transmittance and photonic functions, efforts include matching of refractive index, reduction of scattering agglomerates and dispersion of optical dyes, quantum dots, plasmonic nanoparticles etc.

The project combines nano-structural control of nanocomposites, with lamination and weak interfaces to create a new class of materials where small and large length scales are tailored.

Materials have unique strength-toughness balance, higher optical transmittance than transparent wood, with new photonic function potential.