An efficient biomimetic process for fabrication of artificial nacre with ordered-nanostructure

The authors developed an efficient biomimetic process to fabricate inorganic/organic nanocomposites with clay nano-platelets being the mineral and polyimide being the organic constituency. Samples with thickness of 10–200 μm were produced in a very short time using a centrifugal deposition process. This process resulted in an ordered nanostructure with alternating organic and inorganic layers. The mechanical properties were comparable to that of lamella bones, with a tensile strength of 70–80 MPa, Young's modulus of 8–9 GPa and hardness of about 1–2 GPa. The composite films could be lifted from the substrate and stacked to form bulk material for biomedical applications such as bioactive dental materials or bone replacements. This approach represents a milestone in the development of bulk-form layered inorganic/organic nanocomposites.