8 - Nanocomposites: Preparation, Structure, and Properties

Abstract

Publisher Summary The general idea of nanocomposites is based on the concept of creating a very large interface between the nanosized-building blocks and the polymer matrix. The main problems of nanocomposites are usually the homogeneous distribution of the particles in the polymer matrix and interfacial interactions. Compared to the basic idea behind nanocomposites, interfacial interactions are treated rather superficially the available information is limited and very often contradictory. Very little unambiguous information exists about the relationships among the interaction of a coated nanoparticle surface, the size and characteristics of the available uncoated area, the strength of interfacial adhesion, and the macroscopic properties of the nanocomposites. The main purpose of this chapter is to overcome issues. Nanocomposites can be classified in many ways; in this chapter they are classified according to the dimensionality of the nanosized heterogeneity. The size is in the nanometer range in all three dimensions for particles like silica (SiO2), titanium dioxide (TiO2), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), or polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS); nanotubes and fibers are small in two dimensions but can be micrometer long; while the individual platelets of layered silicates are approximately 1 nm thick, their other two dimensions are usually much larger.