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Robust free-standing nanomembranes of organic/inorganic interpenetrating networks

Nature Materials volume 5, pages 494–501 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Hybrid sol–gel materials have been a subject of intensive research during the past decades because these nanocomposites combine the versatility of organic polymers with the superior physical properties of glass. Here, we report the synthesis, by spin coating, of hybrid interpenetrating networks in the form of free-standing nanomembrane (around 35-nm thick) with unprecedented macroscopic size and characteristics. The quasi-2D interpenetration of the organic and inorganic networks brings to these materials a unique combination of properties that are not usually compatible within the same film: macroscopic robustness and homogeneity, nanoscale thickness, mechanical strength, high flexibility and optical transparency. Interestingly, such free-standing nanofilms of macroscopic size can seal large openings, are strong enough to hold amounts of liquid 70,000 times heavier than their own weight, and are flexible enough to reversibly pass through holes 30,000 times smaller than their own size.

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Figure 1: Preparative procedure for self-supporting hybrid IPN nanofilm.
Figure 2: Characterization of a 40-nm-thick hybrid IPN layer synthesized by spin-coating.
Figure 3: AFM observations of a Hybrid_2 nanofilm deposited on a silicon wafer.
Figure 4: Microscopic characterization of free-standing hybrid nanofilms.
Figure 5: Model nanostructures of free-standing hybrid nanomembranes of interpenetrating networks.
Figure 6: Manipulation and properties of a 35-nm-thick Hybrid_1 self-supporting nanomembrane.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the postdoctoral program for foreign researchers of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) through a fellowship awarded to R.V.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Topo Chemical Design Laboratory, Frontier Research System (FRS), The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Hirosawa 2-1, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan

    Richard Vendamme, Shin-Ya Onoue & Toyoki Kunitake

  2. Surface Science Division, The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Hirosawa 2-1, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan

    Aiko Nakao

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  1. Richard Vendamme
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Correspondence to Toyoki Kunitake.

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Vendamme, R., Onoue, SY., Nakao, A. et al. Robust free-standing nanomembranes of organic/inorganic interpenetrating networks. Nature Mater 5, 494–501 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat1655

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