title: Layered and scrolled nanocomposites with aligned semi-infinite graphene inclusions at the platelet limit.
abstract: Two-dimensional (2D) materials can uniquely span the physical dimensions of a surrounding composite matrix in the limit of maximum reinforcement. However, the alignment and assembly of continuous 2D components at high volume fraction remain challenging. We use a stacking and folding method to generate aligned graphene/polycarbonate composites with as many as 320 parallel layers spanning 0.032 to 0.11 millimeters in thickness that significantly increases the effective elastic modulus and strength at exceptionally low volume fractions of only 0.082%. An analogous transverse shear scrolling method generates Archimedean spiral fibers that demonstrate exotic, telescoping elongation at break of 110%, or 30 times greater than Kevlar. Both composites retain anisotropic electrical conduction along the graphene planar axis and transparency. These composites promise substantial mechanical reinforcement, electrical, and optical properties at highly reduced volume fraction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Pingwei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China.
authors.forename: Zhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Katsukis
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Lee William
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Drahushuk
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Chih-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-5069, USA.
authors.forename: Eric D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Wetzel
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-5069, USA.
authors.forename: Joshua K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Taggart-Scarff
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Qing
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Krystyn J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Van Vliet
authors.affiliation: Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Brian L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Wardle
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. strano@mit.edu.
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Strano