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Title: Bioinspired synthesis of thermally stable and mechanically strong nanocomposite coatings

Journal Article · · MRS Advances

Abstract An innovative biomimetic method has been developed to synthesize layered nanocomposite coatings using silica and sugar-derived carbon to mimic the formation of a natural seashell structure. The layered nanocomposites are fabricated through alternate coatings of condensed silica and sugar. Sugar-derived carbon is a cost-effective material as well as environmentally friendly. Pyrolysis of sugar will form polycyclic aromatic carbon sheets, i.e., carbon black. The resulting final nanocomposite coatings can survive temperatures of more than 1150 °C and potentially up to 1650 °C. These coatings have strong mechanical properties, with hardness of more than 11 GPa and elastic modulus of 120 GPa, which are 80% greater than those of pure silica. The layered coatings have many applications, such as shielding in the form of mechanical barriers, body armor, and space debris shields. Graphical abstract

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
NA0003525
OSTI ID:
1846684
Report Number(s):
SAND2022-2177J; PII: 245
Journal Information:
MRS Advances, Journal Name: MRS Advances Journal Issue: 16-17 Vol. 7; ISSN 2059-8521
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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