Polymer nanocomposite materials

In this chapter, two new approaches for the synthesis of metal-polymer nanocomposite materials have been described. The first method allows the preparation of contact-free dispersions of passivated gold clusters in polystyrene, and it is based on a traditional technique for the colloidal gold synthesis—that is, the alcoholic reduction of tetrachloroauric acid in presence of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) as polymeric stabilizer. The primary function of the stabilizer is to avoid cluster sintering, but it also allows us to isolate clusters by co-precipitation. It has been found that the obtained polymer-protected nanometric gold particles can be dissolved in alkane-thiol alcoholic solutions to yield thiol-derivatized gold clusters by thiol absorbtion on the metal surface. Differently from other approaches for thioaurite synthesis available in the literature, this method allows complete control over the passivated gold cluster structure since a number of thiol molecules can be equivalently used and the... 

Polymer nanocomposite materials as a new insulation material also have been given attention because the properties of the original material can be drastically improved by adding a few percent of nano-sized filler. Polymer nanocomposites for HV insulation have been extensively being studied in recent years because of their unique properties and ability to enhance electrical performance. The analysis result showed that DC conductivity exhibits... 

A. Dasari, Z.-Z. Yu, Y.-W. Mai, Fundamental aspects and recent progress on wear/scratch damage in polymer nanocomposites. Materials Science and... 

The goal of this chapter is to provide general information on the synthesis and characterization of various conducting polymer nanocomposite materials for energy storage device application with recent development of this new area of research. 

V. Rangari, Polymer nanocomposite materials for structural applications, in B. Reddy, ed.. Advances in Nanocomposites - Synthesis, Characterization and Industrial Applications, InTech, pp. 61-84,2011. 

Tjong, S. C. 2006. Structural and mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites. Materials Science and Engineering R 53 73-197. 

Chen C (2011) The manufacture of polymer nanocomposite materials using supercritical carbon dioxide. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg VA... 

In recent years, the development of semiconductor-polymer nanocomposite materials has become an important research area of nanoscience and nanotechnology as these nanocomposites combine the advantageous properties of polymers with the unique size-tunable optical, electronic, catalytic, and other properties of semiconductor nanoparticles [227-229]. A number of methods are available for producing hybrids of polymers with semiconductor nanoparticles. Two widely used methods, i.e. melt blending and in-situ polymerization, for synthesis of semiconductor-polymer nanocomposites are discussed here. 

At present time have been synthesized a lot of different polymer nanocomposite materials based on various kinds of polymer materials and natural inorganic fillers. The amount of such... 

Finally it has to be noted that the amount of studies devoted to the polymer nanocomposite materials increases very intensively. It was shown the abibty of using of practically all kinds of polymer materials. Common imderstanding about investigation methods and structure of nanocomposite polymer materials, about relationships between properties and specific structure of nanocomposites is formed. Increasing of studies in this field proves that it will become very perspective approach to prepare in industrial scales new polymer materials with a lot of improved properties. 

Therefore, it appears that a combination of organoclays and conventional flame retardants possesses significant potential to be useful flame retardant systems. A more detailed understanding of the flame retardant mechanism by which such an additive combination exerts its positive effects may further improve its performance and safety and reduce overall additive loading and cost. Moreover, the development of feasible and relevant manufacturing methods based on the intercalated flame retardant clays described here which facilitate the dispersion of flame retardant additives and increase flame retardant efficiency foretells of a promising future for flame retardant polymer nanocomposite materials in everyday applications. 

This book focuses on the subject of foams generated with polymer nanocomposite materials. Polymer nanocomposites have been developed continuously for the last two decades. These advancements have led to their application in many fields such as automotive, packaging, insulation, and so forth. Foams are one product, which is common to many application fields and also has high commercial value. Use of nanocomposites in the formation of foams enhances the property profiles such as porosity control, strength, stiffness, and so on, significantly, which enables the application of such materials in conventional areas ranging to more advanced ones. 

Research toward the design and the optimization of routes to prepare CNT/polymer nanocomposites started about 15 years ago. So far, this type of research, such as the one described in this book, is still most of the time carried out at relatively small scales. CNT/ polymer nanocomposite materials, however, have so much potential that the development of various commercial products manufactured at an industrial scale is mandatory. 

Preparation of CNF/Synthetic Polymer Nanocomposite Materials by Surface-Initiated Graft Polymerization... 

As one of the possible applications of the present CNF film, authors have studied the surface-initiated ring-opening graft polymerization of cyclic monomers from the CNF film to prepare new CNF/synthetic polymer nanocomposite materials (Fig. 14.8]. 

Preparation ofCNF/Synthetic Polymer Nanocomposite Materials 499... 

Industrial Applications Carbon nanotubes (single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)) " " cellulose materials for bulky paper sheets graphene-based polymer nanocomposites materials/films " photonic materials photovoltaic devices polyaniline systems poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) oligomers poly(propylene imine) dendrimers " thin-films ... 

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