Abstract
Electrostatic assembly is one of the bottom–up approaches used for multiscale composite fabrication. Since its discovery, this method has been actively used in molecular bioscience as well as materials design and fabrication for various applications. Despite the recent advances and controlled assembly reported using electrostatic interaction, the method still possesses vast potentials for various materials design and fabrication. This review article is a timely revisit of the electrostatic assembly method with a brief introduction of the method followed by surveys of recent advances and applications of the composites fabricated. Emphasis is also given to the significant potential of this method for advanced materials and composite fabrication in line with sustainable development goals. Prospective outlook and future developments for micro-/nanocomposite materials fabrication for emerging applications such as energy-related fields and additive manufacturing are also mentioned.
Highlights
Nanomaterials exhibit unique properties that are not seen in bulk materials, and this has led to an increase in the development of nanocomposites for various applications
This review focuses on and revisits the applicability and versatility of the electrostatic assembly (EA) method for the assembly of composite materials
The versatility of the EA method has proven its importance in the bottom–up assembly of composite materials with good control in the tailoring of nano- and microstructures generating novel properties and functionalities
Summary
Nanomaterials exhibit unique properties that are not seen in bulk materials, and this has led to an increase in the development of nanocomposites for various applications. In composite materials design and fabrication, the approach used is either a top–down or bottom–up approach [1,2]. The bottom–up approach offers better flexibility in terms of dimension control, shape ability, and surface-charge modification to achieve desired properties and functionalities [3]. An example of a bottom–up approach in materials design is the electrostatic assembly (EA) method. A brief overview of an electrostatic assembly is first described, followed by a comprehensive survey of the current progress in composite materials design via the EA method as well as its prospective outlook for future development. Emphasis on emerging applications using EA assembly is given in this review
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
