Biomimetic Stiff Nanocomposite for High‐Strength Structural Material

Abstract

AbstractThe honeycomb structure stands out as an exemplary material, characterized by its remarkable combination of lightweight and superior mechanical strength. Drawing inspiration from the roles of cellulose nanofiber and lignin in natural wood, a novel high‐stiffness biomass honeycomb nanocomposite is developed. This composite is engineered by incorporating lignin into bacterial cellulose, followed by the self‐polycondensation of lignin at elevated temperature. The nanocomposite architecture features intricately interwoven nanofibers to provide a robust long‐range framework, while the self‐polymerized lignin through coniferyl alcohol radicals serves as a rigid binder that interlinks the nanofibers. The dual mechanisms endow the material with exceptional tensile strength and rigidity. Molding this nanocomposite into a honeycomb structure yields a material with outstanding mechanical properties that outperform commercial alternatives, including those derived from Nomex paper and aluminum alloys. Given its characteristics, this nanocomposite holds great promise as a substrate for the next generation of high‐performance structural materials.