Nanocomposites Derived from Polymers and Inorganic Nanoparticles

TLDR

Polymers serve as adaptable hosting matrices that, when combined with inorganic nanoparticles possessing unique optical, catalytic, electronic, and magnetic properties, yield nanocomposites with synergistically enhanced physical characteristics suitable for automotive, aerospace, and opto‑electronics applications. We review recent progress in polymer‑based inorganic nanoparticle composites. By surveying recent literature on these materials, we assess their synthesis, structure–property relationships, and application potential.

Abstract

Polymers are considered to be good hosting matrices for composite materials because they can easily be tailored to yield a variety of bulk physical properties. Moreover, organic polymers generally have long-term stability and good processability. Inorganic nanoparticles possess outstanding optical, catalytic, electronic and magnetic properties, which are significantly different their bulk states. By combining the attractive functionalities of both components, nanocomposites derived from organic polymers and inorganic nanoparticles are expected to display synergistically improved properties. The potential applications of the resultant nanocomposites are various, e.g. automotive, aerospace, opto-electronics, etc. Here, we review recent progress in polymer-based inorganic nanoparticle composites.