AUTHOR=Seidt Britta , Samsoninkova Valeria , Hanßke Felix , Gjardy André , Fratzl Peter , Börner Hans G. , Wagermaier Wolfgang 

TITLE=Correlative Analysis of Specific Compatibilization in Composites by Coupling in situ X-Ray Scattering and Mechanical Tensile Testing

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Materials

VOLUME=6

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/materials/articles/10.3389/fmats.2019.00348

DOI=10.3389/fmats.2019.00348

ISSN=2296-8016

ABSTRACT=<p>In this study, a bio-inspired hybrid material is investigated by <italic>in situ</italic> X-ray scattering experiments in combination with mechanical tensile testing. The material is composed of nanometer-sized spherical magnesium fluoride particles which are linked via material-specific peptide poly(ethylene glycol)-PEG conjugates to a semi-crystalline poly(ethylene oxide) PEO matrix. Mechanically relevant changes in crystal size and orientation in the PEO matrix are followed by wide angle X-ray scattering during the application of tensile stress. The amorphous phase of PEO is stabilized by the surface-engineered MgF<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles, leading to increased Young's modulus and tensile strength. Furthermore, small angle X-ray scattering experiments allowed the identification of a layer on the MgF<sub>2</sub> particle surfaces, which increases in thickness with the conjugate amount and leads to suppression of the agglomeration of MgF<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles. In conclusion, the use of selected peptide-PEG conjugates tailored to link MgF<sub>2</sub> particles to a PEO matrix successfully mimics the biological principle of interface polymers and suggests new directions for material fabrication for bio-applications.</p>