Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene Lamellar‐Thin Framework on Square Meter Scale. Issue 46 (25th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Weilong; Yang, Kailin; Wang, Zirui; Niu, Mingze; Luo, Tao; Su, Zhaoming; Li, Runlai; Fu, Qiang
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials. Volume 34:Issue 46(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-02-25
• Subjects: frameworks -- low dimensional materials -- polymer processing -- square meter scale -- UHMWPE; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202107941
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0935-9648

Abstract

Abstract: A new member of low‐dimensional structures with a high aspect ratio (LDHA) is introduced. For the first time, commodity polymer is processed into LDHA, which has long been stagnated by the lack of suitable processing techniques. The key to solve the current bottleneck is to overcome the trade‐off between kinetic processability and thermodynamic stability. These two factors are both highly determined by intermolecular interaction level (IIL). Thus with a wide tuning range of IIL, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is selected and investigated to break through the trade‐off. Polymeric LDHA preparation needs both thinning and stiffening. By focusing on one then the other sequentially, they are realized simultaneously. Thus the over sixty‐year‐old material is finally thinned down by seven orders of magnitude into a 65.5 nm thick and 0.64 m 2 large lamellar‐thin framework (LTF). LTF exhibits a series of exceptional properties such as over‐95% transparency, and seven times higher specific strength referred to steel. For the first time, cryogenic electron microscopy (Cryo‐EM) is utilized to observe commodity polymers directly. This new LDHA material is promising to expand the scale boundaries of both fundamental research and practical applications, not only for UHMWPE, but also for more commodity polymers to come. Abstract : A new member of low‐dimensional structures with square meter lateral size by commodity polymer is introduced. This macroscopic low‐dimensional material is highly transparent optically and electronically, sub‐micrometer‐porous, and self‐standing with Young's modulus of gigapascal level. Its potential applications include separation process and flexible electronics.