title: Conducting, Self-Assembled, Nacre-Mimetic Polymer/Clay Nanocomposites.
abstract: We demonstrate electrically and ionically conducting nacre-mimetic nanocomposites prepared using self-assembly of synthetic nanoclay in combination with
  PSS and a poly(ionic liquid) polymer from aqueous dispersions. The resulting nacre-mimetics show high degrees of mesoscale order and combine high stiffness and high strength. In terms of conductivities, the resulting hybrids exceed simple additive behavior and display synergetic conductivities due to high levels of interfaces and anisotropic conductivity pathways. The approach highlights the integration of relevant functionalities into stiff and strong bioinspired materials, and shows that synergetic properties beyond mechanical performance can be realized in advanced multifunctional nanocomposites using nacre-inspired design principles.
authors.affiliation: †DWI-Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52056 Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Roi Oskari
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Mäkiniemi
authors.affiliation: †DWI-Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52056 Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Paramita
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Das
authors.affiliation: †DWI-Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52056 Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hönders
authors.affiliation: ‡Max-Planck-Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Konrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grygiel
authors.affiliation: §Center for Education and Research on Macromolecules (CERM), Chemistry Department, University of Liege (ULg), Sart-Tilman, B6a, 4000 Liege, Belgium.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cordella
authors.affiliation: §Center for Education and Research on Macromolecules (CERM), Chemistry Department, University of Liege (ULg), Sart-Tilman, B6a, 4000 Liege, Belgium.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Detrembleur
authors.affiliation: ‡Max-Planck-Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Jiayin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: †DWI-Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52056 Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Walther
keywords: PEDOT:PSS; nacre-mimetic nanocomposites; nanoclay; poly(ionic liquid); synergetic properties