Load transfer in high content graphite nanoplateles composites

Freestanding paper-like materials base on nanoscale lamellar fillers have attracted extensive interest thank to their intrinsic properties. In fact, such class of materials borrows specific properties from the two dimensional (2D) nano-filler together with special features related to the material architecture. The challenge is then to retain at the macroscale the properties of the filler. In the case of lamellar fillers, paper-like structures allow to reproduce, on the macroscopic scale, the behavior of the nanoscale reinforcement. In the present work, layered nanocomposite films replicating the structure of nacre have been manufactured at different filler content (50-100%wt). Coupons showed a well-aligned inner structure at each resin content; however, the effective performances depend on the capability of stress transfer between brick and mortar. The load transfer mechanism has been investigated by Raman spectroscopy. The effective stress transfer mechanism has been investigated by monitoring the 2D peak position (? 2635 cm-1) of GNPs while the samples are stretched.