Abstract:
Recent technological breakthroughs in materials synthesis and the growing aspiration for new and unique functions in materials have generated enormous demand for the novel materials. However, as single components, materials such as metals, ceramics, plastics etc. cannot fulfill all technological aspects required for the various new applications.1 For example, ceramics are typically strong but not tolerant to surface flaws and cracks, whereas most polymers are flaw-tolerant but deform extensively at rather low applied stresses.1 Unfortunately, these two properties (strength and toughness) tend to be mutually exclusive, and attaining optimal mechanical performance is always a compromise often achieved through the empirical design of microstructures.1 Such bottlenecks drives the development of hybrid materials which could nearly accomplish all technological requirements for various applications.
