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Molecular Network Reinforcement of Sol–Gel Glasses
Author(s) -
Dubois G.,
Volksen W.,
Magbitang T.,
Miller R. D.,
Gage D. M.,
Dauskardt R. H.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.200701193
Subject(s) - materials science , modulus , porosity , fracture (geology) , composite material , silicon , sol gel , mineralogy , nanotechnology , optoelectronics , chemistry
Mechanical properties of organic/ inorganic thin‐films prepared from bridged silicon precursors have been investigated. The Young's modulus follows a linear decay when porosity is introduced, a unique observation as compared to traditional organosilicates. Remarkably, in the dense state, fracture energies of 15–17 J.m –2 were measured, values that are larger than those for dense SiO 2 (10 J.m –2 ), dispelling the common belief that all organosilicates are fragile and prone to fracture.