Nanocomposites nanoparticle polymer, properties

It is necessary to disperse the nanomaterials in the best possible manner, especially those layered structures such as graphite, graphene or clays. It is important to obtain very thin (ca. one nanometer) and very wide (ca. 500 nanometers) nanostructures dispersed in the polymer matrices to achieve optimal gas permeability and to improve their mechanical properties without affecting structural quality, using a small amount of the nanomaterial. The particle orientation also has an important effect on the properties of the nanocomposite. Nanoparticles need to be dispersed within the polymer so that are parallel to the material s surface. This condition ensures a maximum tor-... 

Highly structured, 3-D nanoparticle-polymer nanocomposites possess unique magnetic, electronic, and optical properties that differ from individual entities, providing new systems for the creation of nanodevices and biosensors (Murray et al. 2000 Shipway et al. 2000). The choice of assembly interactions is a key issue in order to obtain complete control over the thermodynamics of the assembled system. The introduction of reversible hydrogen bonding and flexible linear polymers into the bricks and mortar concept gave rise to system formation in near-equilibrium conditions, providing well-defined stmctures. 

Varying the polymer type and characteristics allows development of sophisticated metal-polymer nanocomposites with tunable properties and promise for future apphcations. Yet, one can expect vigorous development of this field for years to come so that new polymeric systems yielding better control over nanoparticle formation and properties will be designed. 

Polymer nanocomposites are combinations of polymers containing inorganic or organic fillers of definite geometries (fibres, flakes, spheres, particulates and so on). The use of fillers, which have one dimension on the nanometre scale, enables the production of polymer nanocomposites. Functional nanocomposites with specific properties can be custom-made by combining metal nanoparticles (MNP) into the polymer matrix. 

Recently, nanotechnology has increasingly made its effect felt not only in every field of industry but also in composite science and technology. Nanocomposites, the newest composites, are produced by adding nanoparticles to polymers. It is known that nanocomposites possess superior properties when compared to traditional composites and ordinary polymers. Major advantages of pol)mer nanocomposites are their hardness, high resistance and increased dimensional stability, liquid and gas... 

Montmorillonite (MMT), a smectite clay, is probably the most extensively studied nanomaterial in terms of mechanical, thermal, fire retardant or crystallization behavior of polylactide, especially when these nanoparticles are organically modified allowing the achievement of intercalated and exfoliated nanocomposites.These nanocomposites show enhanced properties as compared to microcomposites and pristine polymer. However, biodegradation and hydrolytic degradation of PLA in the presence of nanoclays has been investigated to a small extent. 

Nowadays, ordered inorganic/organic PNs with a finely tuned structure have displaced a lot of traditional composite materials in a variety of applications because the intimate interactions between components can provide enhancement of the bulk polymer properties (i.e., mechanical and barrier properties, thermal stabihty, flame retardancy, and abrasion resistance). The reinforcing nanoparticle/ polymer adhesion is of primarily importance, as it tunes the final properties of the nanocomposite. Polymer/clay nanocomposites (PCNs) meet this demand due to the platelet-type dispersion of the clay filler in the organic matrix [1]. 

Green nanocomposites based on PHAs appear as the next generation of environmentally-friendly materials and broaden the range of PHAs applications by enhancing the polymer properties (ductility, melt viscosity, thermal stability). Thus, more appropriate new macromolecular architectures and nanoparticle-based systems should allow, in the near future, the limits of these materials (high crystallinity, brittleness, poor thermal stability) to be overcome. 

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