The Development of a Polymer/Ceramic Hierarchical Design Nanocomposite

Composites consisting of a polymer matrix bonded ceramic filler have significant potential in strength, hardness, elastic modulus, wear resistance and chemical resistance which has not been realized in state-of-the-art systems. Nature provides many examples of organic (polymer)/inorganic nanocomposites in shells, bones, teeth and horn which incorporate hierarchical design and exhibit high strength, toughness and other superproperties. Mimicking nature's hierarchical design to produce a synthetic nacre polymer matrix bonded ceramic "brick and mortar" nanocomposite has the potential to achieve superproperties for a variety of applications. This program will continuously produce ceramic nanocrystalites and apply ultra-thin engineering polymers to the pristine nanocrystalite surface to achieve molecular bonding, and consolidate in a nanocomposite with a nacre type hierarchical design containing theoretical loading of the ceramic phase. Ceramic and polymer compositions will be defined and hierarchical design nanocomposites fabricated and characterized. A synthetic hierarchical design nacre polymer/ceramic nanocomposite containing near theoretical ceramic content will have a variety of commercial and military applications in ware and abrasion resistance, structural, acoustic, damping, ballistic/armor, fire resistance, thermal balance, electronic packaging, etc.