Bio-inspired layered nanolignocellulose/graphene-oxide composite with high mechanical strength due to borate cross-linking

Inspired by the borate cross-linking used by higher plants to strengthen their intercellular structure, high mechanical strength-layered composites based on borate cross-linked nanolignocellulose/graphene-oxide platelets were developed. Borate treatment and graphene deposition on nanolignocellulose surface were carried out by a mechanochemical method. The borate content is used in very low in these composites. The orderly layered structures produced by the flow-directed assembly of individual nanolignocellulose/graphene oxide platelets resulted in a synergistic toughening effect. The bending strength and elasticity modulus of the produced composites were ∼1.5 times higher than those of pure nanolignocellulose; they were also superior to those of lignin-based materials and comparable to those of medium density fiberboard (MDF) with resin. Such high-strength layered composites have potential as load-bearing materials in structural applications.