Integration of stiff graphene and tough silk for the design and fabrication of versatile electronic materials.

ABSTRACT: The production of structural and functional materials with enhanced mechanical properties through the integration of soft and hard components is a common approach to Nature's materials design. However, directly mimicking these optimized design routes in the lab for practical applications remains challenging. For example, graphene and silk are two materials with complementary mechanical properties that feature ultrahigh stiffness and toughness, respectively. Yet no simple and controllable approach has been developed to homogeneously integrate these two components into functional composites, mainly due to the hydrophobicity and chemical inertness of the graphene. In this study, well-dispersed and highly stable graphene/silk fibroin (SF) suspension systems were developed, which are suitable f

SUBMITTER: Ling S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6261468 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature