Nanocomposites: synthesis, structure, properties and new application opportunities

TLDR

Nanocomposites are high‑performance materials that combine unusual property sets and design possibilities, and their market is growing at ~25% annually with applications ranging from packaging to biomedical uses. This review aims to provide a unified overview of the three matrix nanocomposite types, underscoring their necessity, processing methods, and recent structural and property findings. The paper discusses processing techniques, potential uses of natural materials such as clay minerals, chrysotile, and lignocellulosic fibers, and recent results on structure, properties, and future application perspectives including space missions and market and safety aspects. The environmentally friendly nanocomposites open new technology and business opportunities in aerospace, automotive, electronics, and biotechnology sectors.

Abstract

Nanocomposites, a high performance material exhibit unusual property combinations and unique design possibilities. With an estimated annual growth rate of about 25% and fastest demand to be in engineering plastics and elastomers, their potential is so striking that they are useful in several areas ranging from packaging to biomedical applications. In this unified overview the three types of matrix nanocomposites are presented underlining the need for these materials, their processing methods and some recent results on structure, properties and potential applications, perspectives including need for such materials in future space mission and other interesting applications together with market and safety aspects. Possible uses of natural materials such as clay based minerals, chrysotile and lignocellulosic fibers are highlighted. Being environmentally friendly, applications of nanocomposites offer new technology and business opportunities for several sectors of the aerospace, automotive, electronics and biotechnology industries.