Chapter 1 - Fundamentals of polymeric nanostructured materials

Abstract

This chapter deals with the brief discussion about polymer nanocomposite. Different fabrication techniques, characterization, properties, and multifaceted applications of polymer nanocomposites are discussed herein. Further, a brief discussion about different types (one, two, and three dimensional) of nanomaterials used for fabrication of polymer nanocomposites is also provided. The fabrication of different polymer nanocomposites including polyurethane, epoxy, polyester, poly(esteramide), and poly(methamethacrylate) and their properties using different nanoreinforcing agents are demonstrated here. Different characterization techniques such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, UV, X-ray diffraction, Raman, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy, used for characterization of such materials are also mentioned. The development of nanomaterials into different polymer matrices showed significant enhancement in mechanical (scratch hardness, tensile strength, Young’s modulus, elongation at break, etc.), thermal (glass transition, thermal degradation, and melting temperature), electrical, optical, etc. properties. Most of the polymer nanocomposites exhibited good biodegradability behavior against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The antibacterial activity is observed in metal and metal oxide-based polymer nanocomposites. In addition, the polymer nanocomposite also displayed some special properties like antiicing, antifogging, antireflecting, and anticounterfeiting upon incorporation of some special nanomaterials. Further, the polymer nanocomposites found applications in different advanced fields including photocatalysis, biomedical, heterogeneous catalyst, anticorrosion, sensor, supercapacitors, light-emitting diode, etc.