Ultrahigh Energy Absorption Multifunctional Spinodal Nanoarchitectures

Glassy carbon nanospinodals show noncatastrophic deformability up to 80% strain, enabling an order of magnitude higher energy absorption capability than any reported nano ‐, micro‐, or macroarchitected and monolithic material. At the same time, the strength and stiffness are on par with the most advanced yet brittle nanolattices, demonstrating true multifunctionality. AbstractNanolattices are promoted as next ‐generation multifunctional high‐performance materials, but their mechanical response is limited to extreme strength yet brittleness, or extreme deformability but low strength and stiffness. Ideal impact protection systems require high‐stress plateaus over long deformation ranges to maximize e nergy absorption. Here glassy carbon nanospinodals, i.e., nanoarchitectures with spinodal shell topology, combining ultrahigh energy absorption and exceptional strength and stiffness at low weight. Noncatastrophic deformation up to 80% strain, and energy absorption up to one order of magnitude highe r than for other nano‐, micro‐, macro‐architectures and solids, and state‐of‐the‐art impact protection structures are shown. At the same time, the strength and stiffness are on par with the most advanced yet brittle nanolattices, demonstrating true multifunctionality. Finite element simu lations show that optimized shell thickness‐to‐curvature‐radius ratios suppress catastrophic failure by impeding propagation of dangerously oriented cracks. In contrast to mo...

Source: Small - September 17, 2019 Category: Nanotechnology Authors: Anna Guell Izard, Jens Bauer, Cameron Crook, Vladyslav Turlo, Lorenzo Valdevit Tags: Communication Source Type: research