A review of synthesis methods, and characterization techniques of polymer nanocomposites for diverse applications
Shimelis Tamene Gobena, Abraham Debebe Woldeyonnes
Abstract
Polymer nanocomposites have become a quickly growing area of study, fueling the advancement of sophisticated materials in recent years. Adding nanoparticles to a polymer matrix greatly improves the characteristics of the resulting nanocomposites. These improvements play a crucial role in a wide range of applications, including dental restorations, biosensors, food packaging, electronic devices, and various biomedical uses. This review offers a thorough examination of various techniques for synthesizing polymer-based nanocomposites, such as melt intercalation, sol–gel processes, in situ polymerization, and emulsion techniques. Moreover, it is essential to characterize these nanocomposites to comprehend their mechanical properties, structure, and morphology. Methods like atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are widely utilized for the examination of these attributes. The thermal properties of polymer nanocomposites are highly interesting, along with their mechanical properties. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) are used to assess these thermal and chemical characteristics. In general, the review seeks to summarize the methods of combining and analyzing polymer nanocomposites, giving a thorough insight into how these processes enhance the improvement and refinement of materials for various industrial and medical uses.