Polymeric Nanocomposites: Synthesis, Characterization, and Recent Applications
Saurabh Shivalkar, Sneha Ranjan, Amaresh Kumar Sahoo
Abstract
Nanomaterials have been extensively studied over the last few decades owing to their unique physicochemical properties. Recent advancement in the field of nanoengineering also provides the opportunity for easy and precise modifications in the structural aspects of these nanomaterials to get exceptional functional advantages over their bulk counterpart. Polymeric nanocomposites are one such modification, where nanoparticles or nanofillers are dispersed homogeneously in the polymer matrix to get better physicochemical properties, which are apt for various applications and thus offer significant scientific as well as industrial interest. Moreover, the kin association of nanotechnology with polymer chemistry provides several new synthesis routes and formulation protocols, which are favorable for the large-scale production of nanocomposites. The opportunity of modulating the ratios of polymer matrix and inorganic components (e.g., nanoparticles) provides the benefits to control its properties including greater resistance towards moisture and gases, better electrical and thermal conductivity, tunable surface charge, and surface chemistry. Additionally, due to low toxicity and biocompatibility, the polymeric nanocomposites indeed gain an edge over pure nanomaterials and thus become an intrinsic part of several advanced applications in various sectors such as healthcare, medicine, microelectronics, chemical engineering, and mechanical engineering. Therefore, the present chapter specifically focuses on the various synthesis methods, techniques commonly used for characterization, suitable functionalization to tune the properties, and recent advancements in the applications of polymer nanocomposites.