Nanoindentation of Supercrystalline Nanocomposites: Linear Relationship Between Elastic Modulus and Hardness

Abstract Supercrystalline nanocomposites (SCNCs) are a new category of nanostructured materials, with organically functionalized nanoparticles assembled into periodic structures, reminiscent atomic crystals. Thanks to this nanoarchitecture, SCNCs show great promise for functional applications, and understanding controlling their mechanical properties becomes key. Nanoindentation is powerful tool assess the behavior virtually any material, it particularly suitable studies on materials. While investigating in nanoindentation, linear proportionality has emerged between elastic modulus hardness. This not uncommon nanoindentation studies, here we compare contrast that other material categories share some key features SCNCs: mineral-rich biocomposites (where mineral building blocks packed protein-interfaced network), ultrafine grained materials characteristic nano-grain sizes analogous those SCNC blocks), face-centered cubic crystals (which typical structure). A strong analogy emerges biomaterials, both terms hardness/elastic relationship, correlation ratio dissipative mechanisms occurring upon deformation. Insights suitability as next-generation hierarchical drawn.