Superior mechanical properties by exploiting size-effects and multiscale interactions in hierarchically architected foams

Protective applications in extreme environments demand materials with superior modulus, strength, and specific energy absorption (SEA) at lightweight. They must also have the ability to attenuate intense stress waves absorb kinetic from impact while providing thermally stable functionality. However, these properties typically a trade-off. Hierarchically architected materials—such as vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) foams—offer potential overcome trade-offs achieve synergistic enhancement mechanical because of their multiscale origins bulk derived structural features that span nano millimeter scales. Such complex hierarchical structures require careful investigation effects multitier design parameters interactions on resultant properties. Here, we adopt full-factorial experiments (DOE) approach identify an optimal set SEA, compressive modulus lightweight VACNT foams mesoscale cylindrical architecture. We exploit size geometrically-confined synthesis highly interactive morphology CNTs enable higher-order parameter intriguingly disrupt diameter-to-thickness (D/t)-dependent scaling laws found common having steel composite tubular structures. show exploiting complementary mechanisms material can lead performance desirable for protective applications.