Novel bio-inspired three-dimensional nanocomposites based on montmorillonite and chitosan.

In this study, inspired by nacre-like structural natural shells, novel three-dimensional (3D) nanocomposites based on natural nanoplatelets of montmorillonite (MMT) and polysaccharide of chitosan (CS) were prepared with solution intercalation and self-assembly process. The CS-intercalated-MMT nanoplatelets units acted as "bricks" and CS molecules acted as "mortar", arranging in fairly well-ordered layered structure. With addition of glutaraldehyde (GA) and Pd cations, synergistic toughening and strengthening effects of covalent and ionic bonds could be achieved.