Bioinspired approaches for optimizing the strength and toughness of graphene-based polymer nanocomposites

Abstract

The exceptional mechanical properties of graphene have revealed appealing potential in developing lightweight, mechanically robust polymer materials. However, how to effectively balance their strength and toughness remains a challenge so far. Although only weak or brittle constituents can be utilized, nature exhibits a miraculous capacity for creating biological composites that can meet a variety of functional needs, which has stimulated one's strong interest in the design and manufacture of novel polymer nanocomposites. This highlight article briefly describes the advances of bioinspired approaches in improving the mechanical properties of graphene-based nanocomposites, involving three selected aspects, i.e., structure and mechanical properties of graphene oxide papers, construction of novel graphene–polymer interphases and synergistic mechanical improvements in graphene-based nanocomposites. It is emphasized that the hierarchical structure and interplay between different toughening mechanisms play crucial roles in the development of strong, tough graphene–polymer nanocomposites.