| Abstract
| - The preparation of a high-strength and highly transparent nacre-like nanocomposite via layer-by-layer assembly technique from poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and Na+-montmorillonite clay nanosheets is reported in this article. We show that a high density of weak bonding interactions between the polymer and the clay particles: hydrogen, dipole−induced dipole, and van der Waals undergoing break-reform deformations, can lead to high strength nanocomposites: σUTS ∼ 150 MPa and E′ ∼ 13 GPa. Further introduction of ionic bonds into the polymeric matrix creates a double network of sacrificial bonds which dramatically increases the mechanical properties: σUTS ∼ 320 MPa and E′ ∼ 60 GPa.
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