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Biomimetic Nanostructured Interfaces for Hierarchical Composites
Author(s) -
Malakooti Mohammad H.,
Zhou Zhi,
Spears John H.,
Shankwitz Timothy J.,
Sodano Henry A.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
advanced materials interfaces
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.671
H-Index - 65
ISSN - 2196-7350
DOI - 10.1002/admi.201500404
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , nanowire , interphase , toughness , piezoelectricity , whiskers , phase (matter) , interface (matter) , stiffness , nanotechnology , chemistry , genetics , organic chemistry , capillary number , capillary action , biology
Creating a hierarchical interface between the reinforcement and matrix phases of fiber reinforced polymer composites has become an effective strategy toward development of bioinspired structural composites. The resulting materials display exceptional characteristics such as having both high stiffness and high toughness simultaneously, which is rare in homogeneous materials. Although the efficacy of nanostructured interfaces has been established, the mechanisms associated with their performance have not been explored yet. Here, strain transfer across a nanowire interphase is visualized in order to understand the working principles of physical interface modifications. This is accomplished by using a functionally graded piezoelectric interface composed of nanowires, as their piezoelectric properties can be utilized to control the strain on one side of the interface. It is demonstrated that the nanowire “whiskers” cause an even strain transfer from the reinforcement phase into the matrix phase, eliminating stress concentration between the phases.