Abstract Freestanding nacre-like composite films based on alpha-Zirconium phosphate (α-ZrP) and poly(etheramine) were prepared by casting from water. The α-ZrP nanoplatelets self-assemble and organise to produce a unidirectional nanoplatelet layered structure with the poly(etheramine) acting as both an exfoliating agent and binder for neighbouring nanoplatelets. The terminal amine binds to the α-ZrP through a cationic exchange reaction and once ionically bound, the hydrophobic polyether chain repels the adjacent α-ZrP sheet aiding effective exfoliation. Consequently, the spacing between nanoplatelets increases with increasing poly(etheramine) content. The resultant nacre-like structures can dissipate energy via different mechanisms such that when under tensile or compressive loading significant increases in mechanical properties are possible. Several mechanical property improvements (with respect to the 95:5 composition) were achieved, including a 44- and 200-fold increase in reduced Young’s modulus (Er) and Hardness (H) (from nanoindentation measurements) and, 341% in tensile modulus E, (83:17), 572% in tensile strength σ, (77:23), 707% in maximum strain e (71:29) and 3981% in tensile toughness UT, (71:29) (from tensile testing). The barrier performance, to water vapour, of these freestanding nacre-like films per unit thickness was comparable to several polymers, such as EVOH, Nylon 6,6 and poly(lactic acid)(PLA).

中文翻译：

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由水浇铸的独立式 α-磷酸锆基类珍珠层复合薄膜

摘要 通过水浇铸制备了基于α-磷酸锆（α-ZrP）和聚（醚胺）的独立珍珠层状复合薄膜。α-ZrP 纳米片自组装和组织以产生单向纳米片层状结构，聚（醚胺）作为相邻纳米片的去角质剂和粘合剂。末端胺通过阳离子交换反应与 α-ZrP 结合，一旦以离子方式结合，疏水性聚醚链就会排斥相邻的 α-ZrP 片层，从而有助于有效剥离。因此，纳米片之间的间距随着聚（醚胺）含量的增加而增加。由此产生的珍珠层状结构可以通过不同的机制耗散能量，这样在拉伸或压缩载荷下，机械性能的显着提高是可能的。实现了几项机械性能改进（相对于 95:5 的组合物），包括降低的杨氏模量 (Er) 和硬度 (H)（来自纳米压痕测量）增加了 44 倍和 200 倍，拉伸模量增加了 341% E, (83:17), 572% 的拉伸强度 σ, (77:23), 707% 的最大应变 e (71:29) 和 3981% 的拉伸韧性 UT, (71:29)（来自拉伸测试） . 这些每单位厚度的独立珍珠层状薄膜对水蒸气的阻隔性能可与几种聚合物相媲美，例如 EVOH、尼龙 6,6 和聚乳酸 (PLA)。拉伸强度 σ 为 572% (77:23)，最大应变 e (71:29) 为 707%，拉伸韧性 UT (71:29) 为 3981%（来自拉伸测试）。这些每单位厚度的独立珍珠层状薄膜对水蒸气的阻隔性能可与几种聚合物相媲美，例如 EVOH、尼龙 6,6 和聚乳酸 (PLA)。拉伸强度 σ 为 572% (77:23)，最大应变 e (71:29) 为 707%，拉伸韧性 UT (71:29) 为 3981%（来自拉伸测试）。这些每单位厚度的独立珍珠层状薄膜对水蒸气的阻隔性能可与几种聚合物相媲美，例如 EVOH、尼龙 6,6 和聚乳酸 (PLA)。