Polymer Nanocomposites: Emerging Growth Driver for the Global Automotive Industry

Abstract

Polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) have become an exciting area of current research and development in the nanotechnology arena and have attracted a lot of interest from both academia and industry during the past two and a half decades. Exfoliated clay-based PNCs have dominated the automotive R&D as well as markets, but there are a large number of other significant areas (carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, graphene, nanometals, and nanometal oxides) of current and emerging interest. They have advantageous and superior properties and can be applied in a wide range of automotive applications. It should be noted that PNCs have smaller filler size, which leads to higher surface-to-volume ratio compared to conventional composites reinforced with micro-sized fillers. The absolute alignment and contact of polymer or composites with filler interface is critical for the transfer of mechanical load, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance. The automotive industry is exploring ways to maximize the use of PNCs in order to tackle fuel economy, cost reduction, product differentiation, and environmental concerns. In this chapter, we aim to analyze the current status and perspectives of PNCs background, advantages, limitations, key drivers and growth drivers, materials, properties, and applications, as well as future directions. This is not meant to be an overview of the field, but rather a comprehensive analysis with particular focus on PNC strengths and potential.