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Mechanical nanolattices printed using nanocluster-based photoresists

2022; American Association for the Advancement of Science; Volume: 378; Issue: 6621 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1126/science.abo6997

1095-9203

Qi Li, John Kulikowski, David Doan, Ottman A. Tertuliano, Charles J. Zeman, Melody M. Wang, George C. Schatz, X. Wendy Gu,

Supramolecular Self-Assembly in Materials

Natural materials exhibit emergent mechanical properties as a result of their nanoarchitected, nanocomposite structures with optimized hierarchy, anisotropy, and nanoporosity. Fabrication of such complex systems is currently challenging because high-quality three-dimensional (3D) nanoprinting is mostly limited to simple, homogeneous materials. We report a strategy for the rapid nanoprinting of complex structural nanocomposites using metal nanoclusters. These ultrasmall, quantum-confined nanoclusters function as highly sensitive two-photon activators and simultaneously serve as precursors for mechanical reinforcements and nanoscale porogens. Nanocomposites with complex 3D architectures are printed, as well as structures with tunable, hierarchical, and anisotropic nanoporosity. Nanocluster-polymer nanolattices exhibit high specific strength, energy absorption, deformability, and recoverability. This framework provides a generalizable, versatile approach for the use of photoactive nanomaterials in additive manufacturing of complex systems with emergent mechanical properties.