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Dual‐Fiber Approach toward Flexible Multifunctional Hybrid Materials
Author(s) -
Wicklein Bernd,
Diem Achim M.,
Knöller Andrea,
Cavalcante Manoella S.,
Bergström Lennart,
Bill Joachim,
Burghard Zaklina
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201704274
Subject(s) - materials science , nanofiber , composite material , toughness , indium tin oxide , electrochromism , nanotechnology , thin film , electrode , chemistry
Multifunctional paper‐like materials containing metal oxide nanofibers are important for flexible electronics and other redox‐based applications, but are often prone to mechanical failure. This work presents the coassembly of V 2 O 5 nanofibers (VNFs) in a dual‐fiber approach together with cellulose nanofibers to produce tough (0.26 MJ m −3 ), but strong (250 MPa) flexible hybrid materials. Indeed, nanotensile tests reveal a significant increase in toughness (200%) and strength (85%) of the hybrid films as compared to pristine VNF films. The microstructure of the films shows a transition from an anisotropic texture for the single‐component films to an isotropic, entangled network in case of the hybrid films, which facilitates effective fracture resistance mechanisms. The flexible hybrid films display high electrical conductivity (0.2 S cm −1 ) and elastic properties originating from V 2 O 5 nanofibers with excellent toughness and transparency endowed by the cellulose nanofibers. The self‐supported hybrid films show reversible electrochromic behavior without the need for common substrates such as conducting indium tin oxide glass. It is conceivable that these self‐supported films can be exploited in the future in smart, flexible optoelectronic devices.