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Organic–inorganic covalent–ionic molecules for elastic ceramic plastic

Author

Listed:
  • Weifeng Fang

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Zhao Mu

    (Zhejiang University
    The Fourth Military Medical University)

  • Yan He

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Kangren Kong

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Kai Jiang

    (East China Normal University)

  • Ruikang Tang

    (Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang University)

  • Zhaoming Liu

    (Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang University)

Abstract

Although organic–inorganic hybrid materials have played indispensable roles as mechanical1–4, optical5,6, electronic7,8 and biomedical materials9–11, isolated organic–inorganic hybrid molecules (at present limited to covalent compounds12,13) are seldom used to prepare hybrid materials, owing to the distinct behaviours of organic covalent bonds14 and inorganic ionic bonds15 in molecular construction. Here we integrate typical covalent and ionic bonds within one molecule to create an organic–inorganic hybrid molecule, which can be used for bottom-up syntheses of hybrid materials. A combination of the organic covalent thioctic acid (TA) and the inorganic ionic calcium carbonate oligomer (CCO) through an acid–base reaction provides a TA–CCO hybrid molecule with the representative molecular formula TA2Ca(CaCO3)2. Its dual reactivity involving copolymerization of the organic TA segment and inorganic CCO segment generates the respective covalent and ionic networks. The two networks are interconnected through TA–CCO complexes to form a covalent–ionic bicontinuous structure within the resulting hybrid material, poly(TA–CCO), which unifies paradoxical mechanical properties. The reversible binding of Ca2+–CO32− bonds in the ionic network and S–S bonds in the covalent network ensures material reprocessability with plastic-like mouldability while preserving thermal stability. The coexistence of ceramic-like, rubber-like and plastic-like behaviours within poly(TA–CCO) goes beyond current classifications of materials to generate an ‘elastic ceramic plastic’. The bottom-up creation of organic–inorganic hybrid molecules provides a feasible pathway for the molecular engineering of hybrid materials, thereby supplementing the classical methodology used for the manufacture of organic–inorganic hybrid materials.

Suggested Citation

  • Weifeng Fang & Zhao Mu & Yan He & Kangren Kong & Kai Jiang & Ruikang Tang & Zhaoming Liu, 2023. "Organic–inorganic covalent–ionic molecules for elastic ceramic plastic," Nature, Nature, vol. 619(7969), pages 293-299, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:619:y:2023:i:7969:d:10.1038_s41586-023-06117-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06117-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiong Lin & Chen–Yu Li & Lu–Xuan Liang & Qing–Yun Guo & Yongzheng Zhang & Si–Rui Fu & Qin Zhang & Feng Chen & Di Han & Qiang Fu, 2024. "Organic–inorganic covalent–ionic network enabled all–in–one multifunctional coating for flexible displays," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.

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