Journal
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
Volume 135, Issue 13, Pages 5167-5174Publisher
AMER CHEMICAL SOC
DOI: 10.1021/ja4002713
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Funding
- Kent H. Smith Charitable Trust
- [NSF-DMR-1204948]
- Division Of Materials Research
- Direct For Mathematical & Physical Scien [1204948] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
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Inspired by the water-enhanced mechanical gradient character of the squid beak, we herein report a nanocomposite that mimics both the architecture and properties of this interesting natural material. Similar to the squid beak, we have developed nanocomposites where the degree of cross-linking is controlled along the length of the film. In this study, we utilized tunicate cellulose nanocrystals as the nanofiller that are functionalized with allyl moieties. Using photoinduced thiol-ene chemistry, we have been able to cross-link the CNC nanofiller. In the dry state where strong CNC interactions can occur, only a small mechanical contrast is observed between the cross-linked and uncross-linked samples. However, when the films are exposed to water, which switches off' the noncovalent CNC interactions, a significant mechanical contrast is observed between the same films. For example, at 20 wt % CNC (in the dry film), an increase in wet modulus from 60 to 300 MPa (similar to 500% increase) is observed after photoirradiation. Furthermore, we show that the wet modulus can be controlled by altering the UV exposure time which allows access to mechanical gradient films.
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