RETRACTED ARTICLE: Mechanically interlocked architecture aids an ultra-stiff and ultra-hard elastically bendable cocrystal

Somnath Dey (), Susobhan Das, Surojit Bhunia, Rituparno Chowdhury, Amit Mondal, Biswajit Bhattacharya, Ramesh Devarapalli, Nobuhiro Yasuda, Taro Moriwaki, Kapil Mandal, Goutam Dev Mukherjee and C. Malla Reddy ()
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Somnath Dey: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur Campus
Susobhan Das: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur Campus
Surojit Bhunia: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur Campus
Rituparno Chowdhury: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur Campus
Amit Mondal: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur Campus
Biswajit Bhattacharya: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur Campus
Ramesh Devarapalli: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur Campus
Nobuhiro Yasuda: Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI), 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo
Taro Moriwaki: Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI), 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo
Kapil Mandal: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur Campus
Goutam Dev Mukherjee: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur Campus
C. Malla Reddy: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur Campus

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Molecular crystals are not known to be as stiff as metals, composites and ceramics. Here we report an exceptional mechanical stiffness and high hardness in a known elastically bendable organic cocrystal [caffeine (CAF), 4-chloro-3-nitrobenzoic acid (CNB) and methanol (1:1:1)] which is comparable to certain low-density metals. Spatially resolved atomic level studies reveal that the mechanically interlocked weak hydrogen bond networks which are separated by dispersive interactions give rise to these mechanical properties. Upon bending, the crystals significantly conserve the overall energy by efficient redistribution of stress while perturbations in hydrogen bonds are compensated by strengthened π-stacking. Furthermore we report a remarkable stiffening and hardening in the elastically bent crystal. Hence, mechanically interlocked architectures provide an unexplored route to reach new mechanical limits and adaptability in organic crystals. This proof of concept inspires the design of light-weight, stiff crystalline organics with potential to rival certain inorganics, which currently seem inconceivable.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11657-0

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