Fusion of Seashell Nacre and Marine Bioadhesive Analogs: High-Strength Nanocomposite by Layer-by-Layer Assembly of Clay and L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine Polymer

摘要

We described the preparation of a novel nano-structured composite film that takes advantage of two different natural materials: layered nacre and the marine adhesive of mussels. Overall, this work is a first example of the fusion of two seemingly distinct concepts found in Nature into a unique composite with excellent mechanical properties. Just as in mussels, we found that DOPA molecules impart unusual adhesive strength to the clay composite and the hardening mechanism found in the natural "cement" plays an equally important role in strengthening of our "nanostructured nacre'. In comparison to our previous work with PDDA, we found that even a small amount of DOPA has a dramatic effect on the mechanical properties: the ultimate strength increased 2x and the toughness by ca. 8x.