%0 Journal Article
%T Facile and On-Demand Cross-Linking of Nacre-Mimetic Nanocomposites Using Tailor-Made Polymers with Latent Reactivity
%J -
%D 2018
%R https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.8b06359
%X The development of on-demand cross-linking strategies is a key aspect in promoting mechanical properties of high-performance bioinspired nanocomposites. Here, we embed styrene sulfonyl azide groups with latent chemical reactivity into water-soluble copolymers and assemble those with high-aspect-ratio synthetic nanoclays to generate well-defined layered polymer/nanoclay nacre-mimetics. A considerable stiffening and strengthening occurs upon activation of the covalent cross-linking using simple heating. Varying the amount of cross-linkable units allows molecular control of mechanical properties from ductile to stiff and strong. Moreover, the covalent cross-linking enhances the moisture stability of water-borne nacre-mimetics. The strategy is facile and versatile allowing for a transfer into applications
%U https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.8b06359