Centimetre-scale crack-free self-assembly for ultra-high tensile strength metallic nanolattices

Metal nanolattices are fabricated at an unprecedented scale by using a crack-free self-assembly method. The dense nanostructures enable tensile strengths that approach the theoretical limit. Nanolattices exhibit attractive mechanical, energy conversion and optical properties, but it is challenging to fabricate large nanolattices while maintaining the dense regular nanometre features that enable their properties. Here we report a crack-free self-assembly approach for fabricating centimetre-scale nickel nanolattices with much larger crack-free areas than prior self-assembled nanolattices and many more unit cells than three-dimensionally printed nanolattices. These nickel nanolattices have a feature size of 100 nm, a grain size of 30 nm and a tensile strength of 260 MPa, which approaches the theoretical strength limit for porous nickel. The self-assembly method and porous metal mechanics reported in this work may advance the fabrication and applications of high-strength multifunctional porous materials.

Automated summary

Metal nanolattices with dense nanostructures and high tensile strengths are fabricated using a crack-free self-assembly method. These nanolattices show attractive mechanical, energy conversion, and optical properties, laying the foundation for the advancement of high-strength multifunctional porous materials.