Hierarchical Toughening of a Biomimetic Bulk Cement Composite

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c15313
• Publication Date: 2020-11-10T20:53:33Z
• Authors: Hao Pan; Wei She; Wenqiang Zuo; Yang Zhou; Jiale Huang; Zhongwen Zhang; Zifan Geng; Yiming Yao; Wenhua Zhang; Li Zheng; Changwen Miao; Jiaping Liu
• Keywords: Toughening

Because of the inherent quasibrittleness and heterogeneity, matrix-directed toughening concrete cement composites remains to be a huge challenge. Herein, inspired by nacre materials, novel biomimetic bulk composite is fabricated via facile efficient process based on compacting prefabricated multisized cement-polymer hybrid prills. This method combines with three-dimensional "brick-bridge-mortar" structure design synchronously intrinsic extrinsic strategies. Such an approach shows remarkable maximum toughness enhancement 27-fold 71% increase in flexural strength cooperation only 4 wt % organic matter. More attractively, it alters traditional brittle fracture distinct ductile fracture. In addition, such demonstrates long-term ever-increasing toughness, performing excellent ductile-fracture retention ability. The hierarchical mechanisms are further revealed synergy microscopic characterizations simulation methods. strategy provides new route for development high cement-based materials potential applications civil engineering domain.