Nanocomposites of polymer and inorganic nanoparticles for optical and magnetic applications

TLDR

Optical or magnetic properties of nanocomposites change with decreasing particle size, making inorganic nanoparticles in polymer matrices attractive for industrial applications such as light absorption, scattering, photoluminescence, superparamagnetism, and electromagnetic shielding. The article aims to review polymer‑inorganic nanocomposites, covering their definition, history, synthesis, and future prospects for optical and magnetic applications. The review discusses synthetic techniques for creating polymer‑inorganic nanocomposites and how careful selection of these methods and understanding of their physics enables design of functional materials for optoelectronic and magneto‑optic uses. It is expected that new functional inorganic nano‑fillers will lead to polymer‑inorganic nanocomposites with unique combinations of material properties.

Abstract

This article provides an up-to-date review on nanocomposites composed of inorganic nanoparticles and the polymer matrix for optical and magnetic applications. Optical or magnetic characteristics can change upon the decrease of particle sizes to very small dimensions, which are, in general, of major interest in the area of nanocomposite materials. The use of inorganic nanoparticles into the polymer matrix can provide high-performance novel materials that find applications in many industrial fields. With this respect, frequently considered features are optical properties such as light absorption (UV and color), and the extent of light scattering or, in the case of metal particles, photoluminescence, dichroism, and so on, and magnetic properties such as superparamagnetism, electromagnetic wave absorption, and electromagnetic interference shielding. A general introduction, definition, and historical development of polymer-inorganic nanocomposites as well as a comprehensive review of synthetic techniques for polymer-inorganic nanocomposites will be given. Future possibilities for the development of nanocomposites for optical and magnetic applications are also introduced. It is expected that the use of new functional inorganic nano-fillers will lead to new polymer-inorganic nanocomposites with unique combinations of material properties. By careful selection of synthetic techniques and understanding/exploiting the unique physics of the polymeric nanocomposites in such materials, novel functional polymer-inorganic nanocomposites can be designed and fabricated for new interesting applications such as optoelectronic and magneto-optic applications.