Structural mechanisms of multi-layered cellulosic/collagen/UV-cured polymers nanocomposites under uniaxial extension or compression, probed

The aim of this project is to understand the structural mechanisms evolutions of developed multi-layered cellulosic/collagen/UV-cured nanocomposites during uniaxial extension or compression. Original structuring of UV-curable polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) / cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) have been recently discovered thanks to novel processing methods combining frontal ultrafiltration (FU) ultrasound (US) and UV-curing. The first structuring by FU / UV-curing consisted of two sub-layered organization from nematic to cholesteric. The second structuring obtained by FU / US / UV-curing is a three sub-layered orthotropic organization mimicking the articular cartilage (parallel, isotropic and perpendicular) orientation of the CNCs. The goal of this proposal is to understand the reliable mechanisms of deformation / fracture toughness / delamination of multi-layered organization and structural reorganization of nano-particles inside and at the interface of the sublayered.