Layered nanocomposites by shear-flow-induced alignment of nanosheets

Biological materials, such as bones, teeth and mollusc shells, are well known for their excellent strength, modulus and toughness1–3. Such properties are attributed to the elaborate layered microstructure of inorganic reinforcing nanofillers, especially two-dimensional nanosheets or nanoplatelets, within a ductile organic matrix4–6. Inspired by these biological structures, several assembly strategies—including layer-by-layer4,7,8, casting9,10, vacuum filtration11–13 and use of magnetic fields14,15—have been used to develop layered nanocomposites. However, how to produce ultrastrong layered nanocomposites in a universal, viable and scalable manner remains an open issue. Here we present a strategy to produce nanocomposites with highly ordered layered structures using shear-flow-induced alignment of two-dimensional nanosheets at an immiscible hydrogel/oil interface. For example, nanocomposites based on nanosheets of graphene oxide and clay exhibit a tensile strength of up to 1,215 ± 80 megapascals and a Young’s modulus of 198.8 ± 6.5 gigapascals, which are 9.0 and 2.8 times higher, respectively, than those of natural nacre (mother of pearl). When nanosheets of clay are used, the toughness of the resulting nanocomposite can reach 36.7 ± 3.0 megajoules per cubic metre, which is 20.4 times higher than that of natural nacre; meanwhile, the tensile strength is 1,195 ± 60 megapascals. Quantitative analysis indicates that the well aligned nanosheets form a critical interphase, and this results in the observed mechanical properties. We consider that our strategy, which could be readily extended to align a variety of two-dimensional nanofillers, could be applied to a wide range of structural composites and lead to the development of high-performance composites.