title: Mineralization of clay/polymer aerogels: a bioinspired approach to composite reinforcement.
abstract: Clay aerogels, ultra low density materials made via a simple freeze-drying technique, have shown much promise in broad applications because of their low densities, often in the same range as silica aerogels (0.03-0.3 g/cm(3),) but suffering from low mechanical strength. A bioinspired approach to mineralize an active polymer/clay aerogel composite is inspected, showing marked improvement of the mechanical properties with increasing modification. Further property improvement was achieved using a layer-by-layer approach to produce alternate layers of polymer and silica on the surface.
authors.affiliation: Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7202, USA.
authors.forename: Jack R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Spikowski
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Schiraldi
mesh_terms: D000388:Air; D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000737:chemistry*; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077215:Clay; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry*; D006244:Hardness; D007097:Imines / Q000737:chemistry*; D008420:Manufactured Materials; D008422:Materials Testing; D008903:Minerals / Q000737:chemistry*; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D005782:Gels; D007097:Imines; D008903:Minerals; D011095:Polyethylenes; D011108:Polymers; C505405:poly(ethylene imine); D000077215:Clay