Metal coordination assists fabrication of multifunctional aerogel

doi:10.1016/j.jmst.2020.09.007

Abstract

Abstract:

Interfacial design is one of the most promising ways in improving mechanical properties of nanocomposites. In this work, a multifunctional aerogel with excellent mechanical performances, sensing sensitivity, and fire retardancy is fabricated by taking advantage of metal coordination between biopolymer and Fe³⁺. Montmorillonite (MMT) nanosheets are added to induce a ‘brick and mortar’ structure. The coordination remarkably reduces structural defects, leading to well-formed lamellas that can effectively distribute stress under sever compression without plastic deformation. The structural merits impart the aerogel highly reversible compressibility even at 99 % strain and superior durability. Besides, it demonstrates high sensing performance in wearable health monitoring devices, and shows fire resistance property that can maintain elasticity in a flame. The work offers a facile and effective method to create multifunctional aerogels from various polymers.

Key words: Foam, Composites, Resilient, Carbon

Yijie Hu, Hao Zhuo, Zehong Chen, Xinwen Peng, Linxin Zhong, Runcang Sun. Metal coordination assists fabrication of multifunctional aerogel[J]. J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2021, 71: 67-74.

Figures/Tables 6

Fig. 1. Illustration of interfacial design and fabrication of CS/MT/Fe-C aerogel. (a) Fabrication process of elastic CS/MT/Fe-C aerogel. (b) Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image of MMT nanosheets. (c) Atomic force microscopy (AFM) image and the thickness of MMT nanosheets. (d) Tyndall effect of MMT dispersion. (e) Tyndall effect of CS/MT/Fe mixed suspension. (f) Digital photo of CS/MT/Fe composite. (g) Digital photo of CS/MT/Fe-C aerogel. (h, i) Interactions among MMT nanosheets, chitosan chains, and Fe3+ ions in CS/MT/Fe composite.

Fig. 2. Structural characterization and mechanical performances of CS/MT composite and CS/MT/Fe composite. (a) FT-IR spectra. (b) N 1s XPS spectra of CS/MT composite. (c) N 1s XPS spectra of CS/MT/Fe composite. (d) Fe 2p XPS spectra of CS/MT/Fe composite. (e) Illustration of metal-ligand coordination between chitosan chain and Fe3+. (f) Microstructure of CS/MT composite. (g) Compressibility of CS/MT composite. (h) Microstructure of CS/MT/Fe composite. (i) Compressibility of CS/MT/Fe composite.

Fig. 3. Mechanical performances, morphologies, and finite element models of CS/MT-C and CS/MT/Fe-C. (a, b) Digital photos of CS/MT-C and CS/MT/Fe-C before and after compression, respectively. (c) Stress-strain curves of CS/MT-C at 70 % strain. (d) Stress-strain curves of CS/MT/Fe-C at 70 % strain. (e, f) SEM of CS/MT-C and CS/MT/Fe-C before compression at 70 % strain, respectively. (g, h) SEM of CS/MT-C and CS/MT/Fe-C after compression at 70 % strain for 1 cycle, respectively. (i) Finite element model of CS/MT-C upon compression. (j) Finite element model of CS/MT/Fe-C upon compression.

Fig. 4. Mechanical performances of CS/MT/Fe-C with optimal ratio of chitosan to MMT (5:1). (a) Stress-strain curves at 70 % strain. The inset shows the corresponding digital photos. (b) Stress-strain curves at different compression strains. (c) Stress-strain curves at high compression strain of 99 %. The inset shows the corresponding digital photos upon compression. (d) Fatigue resistance upon 50,000 cycles at 50 % strain. (e) Height and stress retentions and energy dissipation coefficient through fatigue resistance test. (f) Comparison of height retention after 1000 cycles at 50 % strain with various compressible monoliths.

Fig. 5. Applications of CS/MT/Fe-C in pressure sensing and thermal insulation. (a) Linear sensitivity at 0-2.5 kPa. (b) Real-time current change as a function of water drop. (c) The stable strain-current response for 1000 cycles at 50 % strain. (d) Human pulse detection. (e, f) Optical and infrared images of the aerogel on a heating steel plate (200 °C) for 5 min, and corresponding temperature distribution. (g, h) Thermal insulation. (i) Stable elasticity in flame.

Table 1 Sensitivities of various sensing materials.

Material	Sensitivity (kPa^-1)	Sensing range (kPa)	References
Graphene aerogel	8.6	0.8-1.5	[23]
Graphene aerogel	14.3	1.5-2.3	[23]
Graphene oxide (GO) foam	15.2	< 0.3	[42]
CNT/PDMS Sponge	0.033	< 20	[7]
CNT/graphene/PDMS monolith	19.8	< 0.3	[43]
CNT/graphene/PDMS monolith	0.27	1-6	[43]
MXene/rGO aerogel	4.05	< 1.25	[19]
MXene/rGO aerogel	22.56	1.25-3.5	[19]
MXene-derived aerogel	80.4	< 5	[40]
MXene-derived aerogel	12.5	< 10	[44]
Carbonaceous nanofibrous aerogels	0.43	1-3.5	[38]
Carbonaceous nanofibrous aerogels	1.02	3.5-4.5	[38]
Carbon foam	100	< 2	[45]
Carbon foam	21.22	2-9	[45]
Carbon aerogel	27.2	< 18	[4]
Carbon/polyimide (PI) composite	10.74	< 100	[46]
Polypyrrole/silver nanowire aero-sponges	0.33	< 3	[47]
Organic monolith	4.6	0.1-5	[48]
Organic monolith	27.9	5-20	[48]
Graphene/PDMS films	1.2	< 25	[49]
CNT/PDMS arrays	13.9	0.1-20	[50]
ZnO/Polystyrene (PS) film	10.3	< 2	[51]
Pressure‐sensing Skins	0.29	< 5	[52]
Carbon/MMT aerogel	53.04	< 2.5	This work

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