Effect Of Interfacial Interaction Research Articles

Study of the phase morphology and toughness in poly (vinyl chloride)/acrylonitrile–styrene‐acrylic/styrene–butadiene–styrene ternary blends influenced by interfacial/surface tension

ABSTRACTThe effect of interfacial interaction on the phase morphology and toughness of poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC)/acrylonitrile–styrene‐acrylic (ASA) terpolymer/styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) block copolymer ternary blends has been investigated. Water and diiodomethane liquids were used for static contact angle measurements to get surface tension and calculate interfacial tension. A dispersed phase morphology of ASA and SBS in the PVC matrix was predicted by the spreading coefficient theory, which was calculated through interfacial tensions between different polymer pairs. Extraction experiment and scanning electron microscopy were combined to verify this morphology. When the volume fraction of SBS was small, SBS was dispersed in the matrix as droplets and the strong PVC/styrene–acrylonitrile interfacial interaction made up for the poor interfacial adhesion between SBS and PVC. Herein, SBS showed an effective toughening effect on PVC/ASA blends. With the addition of 2.5‐ and 5‐phr SBS, the blends had the highest impact strength of 88.75 kJ/m2 at 23 °C and 9.98 kJ/m2 at 0 °C, respectively. With the further increase of the SBS content, the diameter of the SBS drops increased largely and the poor interfacial adhesion between SBS and PVC played a leading role, resulting in a sharp decrease in toughness and a sharp ductile–brittle transition. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47721.

Carbon Nano Fibre Reinforcements In Concrete

Graphite nanomaterials offer distinct advantages over micro-scale reinforcing fibers in terms of engineering properties and geometric attributes. Thorough dispersion and effective interfacial interactions through proper functionalization of carbon nanofibers are the prerequisites for their effective use in high performance cementitious matrices. Furthermore, use of nano- and micro-scale reinforcements together provides reinforcing effects at different scales, thus rendering balanced gains in engineering properties of the matrix. However, their use in coarser high-performance matrices has not been evaluated thoroughly. The results show improvements in all flexural attributes, impact and abrasion resistance of DSP concrete with addition of 0.16 vol.% of oxidized and poly-acrylic acid physisorbed carbon nanofibers, over the corresponding properties of plain matrix. The results also point to synergetic effect of hybrid reinforcements in improving the various engineering properties of DSP concrete matrix, especially with low modulus polypropylene microfibers.

Effects of Graphene Quality on Lithium Storage Performances of Fe3O4/Thermally Reduced Graphene Oxide Hybrid Anodes

AbstractTill now, there are no systematic reports on the effect of the quality of thermally reduced graphene oxide (TRG) on lithium storage properties, as the reported methods to fabricate graphene‐based electrodes are usually not effective enough to reduce graphene oxides to graphene. Herein, graphite oxide is thermally exfoliated and annealed with a high‐temperature graphitization oven at different temperatures (800–2000 °C). A series of Fe3O4/TRG hybrids are synthesized as anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries with TRGs acting as substrates of in‐situ formed Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Both, the electroconductivity of the TRGs and their interfacial interaction with Fe3O4 influence the lithium storage performances of the hybrids. However, the electroconductivity of the TRGs and the formation of interfacial bonds are conflicting. Because the oxygen‐containing groups and defects of TRG are greatly removed leading to enhanced electrical conductivity with the increase of thermal annealing temperature. Hence, the resulting Fe3O4/TRG hybrids show first decreased then increased electrochemical performances with increasing annealed temperatures. In a word, the effect of interfacial interaction is dominant at a relatively low annealing temperature, while the effect of conductivity is dominant at a relatively high annealing temperature. The optimized hybrids exhibit excellent cycling and rate performances. This work should provide useful information for the rational design and construction of high‐performance electrodes for energy storage applications.

Experimental study on the interfacial behavior of normal and lightweight concrete

DOI: 10.7764/RDLC.18.3.476 The interface between aggregate and mortar or paste is a weak phase. This has a serious effect on the properties of concretes. Because of the high porosity of lightweight aggregate, the interface of lightweight concrete is different from that of normal weight concrete. In this study, the effect of interfacial interactions between lightweight aggregate and mortar on the mechanical and chloride ion transport properties of concretes was investigated. The test variables were the volume fraction of the lightweight aggregate and the water–cement (W/C) ratio. The elastic modulus, the electrical charge passed from the rapid chloride penetration test (RCPT), and chloride ion penetration depth were determined. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to observe the microstructures of the interfaces. SEM observation of the lightweight concrete revealed that the interface bonding between mortar and aggregate is considerably firmer than that of normal weight concrete. However, test results indicate that the ability of the lightweight concrete to resist chloride ion intrusion is worse than that of normal weight concrete. Comparison with theoretical models reveals that a negative factor affects the chloride ion transmission in lightweight concrete. As the volume fraction of lightweight aggregate increased, this negative influence is also increased. Chloride ions were detected both in the mortar and the lightweight aggregate in the EDX test. This indicates that chloride ions passed through the lightweight aggregate during the RCPT and can thus influence chloride ion transmission throughout lightweight concrete.

Fabrication of g-C3N4 Nanomesh-Anchored Amorphous NiCoP2O7: Tuned Cycling Life and the Dynamic Behavior of a Hybrid Capacitor

Developing a novel electrode material with better electrochemical behavior and extended cyclability is a major issue in the field of hybrid capacitors. In this work, we propose a novel strategy for the facile synthesis of nickel–cobalt pyrophosphate nanoparticles anchored on graphitic carbon nitride (NiCoP2O7/g-C3N4) via the simple solvothermal method. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed the uniform anchoring of NiCoP2O7 nanocomposite on g-C3N4 nanosheets. Benefitting from the effect of amorphous nature and a conductive matrix of the NiCoP2O7/g-C3N4 (NP3) composite, the material achieves a specific capacitance of 342 F g–1 at a scan rate of 5 mV s–1. Impressively, the electrode shows long-term cycling stability with 100% capacitance retention over 5000 cycles. Employing activated carbon as an anode and as-prepared NP3 as a cathode, the assembled asymmetric hybrid cell exhibits high-energy density and exceptional cyclability (specific capacitance retention over 10 000 cycles). The outstanding electrochemical and cyclic stability is attributed to the shortest electron-ion pathway with effective interfacial interaction. The low electronic resistance of the NiCoP2O7/g-C3N4 nanocomposite is revealed by varying the bias voltage variation in the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Our results promise better utilization of the bimetallic pyrophosphate-anchored g-C3N4 matrix as a potential electrode for high-performance energy storage devices.

Thermal stability and mechanical properties of ethylenediamine‐modified GO/co‐polyamide nanocomposites

We describe ethylenediamine‐modified graphene oxide (GO)/co‐polyamide (GO‐EDA/CO‐PA) nanocomposites prepared via solution blending with EDA‐modified GO (GO‐NH2/EDA). GO was prepared via the improved Hummers method, and EDA was used to modify the GO to add amine groups to graphene. X‐ray diffraction, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and atomic force microscope analysis showed that the thickness of GO‐NH2/EDA was 1.2 nm. Amino functional groups were introduced onto the GO sheets. Due to the steric hindrance effect of the amino on modified graphene as well as the strong, specific interactions between aminos and carboxyls on CO‐PA, the GO‐NH2/EDA filler was homogeneously dispersed in the matrix, and the interface reaction was effectively improved. The GO‐NH2/EDA could change the crystal structure of pure nylon and the glass transition temperature (Tg). The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites increased dramatically when the GO‐NH2/EDA content is 0.6 wt%. The tensile strength and yield strength of the nanocomposites increased by 50.3 and 134.8%, respectively. The effects of interfacial interaction, increased crystallization, and prevention of agglomeration of GO‐NH2/EDA improved the thermal properties of the GO‐EDA/CO‐PA nanocomposites. This is because the 50% thermal degradation temperature (T‐50%) and the thermal degradation temperature (Td,max) of the nanocomposites increased by 16 and 15°C when the GO‐NH2/EDA content is 0.8 wt%. The nano‐filler improves the thermal diffusivity of the nylon matrix at low temperature. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:3315–3324, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers

Nonclassical Interactions of Phosphatidylcholine with Mucin Protect Intestinal Surfaces: A Microinterferometry Study.

Albeit many studies demonstrated that the accumulation of phospholipids in the intestinal mucosal surfaces is essential for the protection of colon epithelia against pathogenic bacteria, the mechanism of interactions between phospholipids and the surface protein mucin is not well understood. In this study, the significance of interfacial interactions between phospholipids and mucin proteins was quantified by the combination of an in vitro intestinal surface model and label-free microinterferometry. The model of intestinal surfaces consists of planar lipid membranes deposited on solid substrates (supported membranes) that display mucin proteins at defined surface densities. Following the quantitative characterization of the systems, we monitored the vertical fluctuation of 10 μm-large particles on model intestinal surfaces by using microinterferometry, and calculated the effective interfacial interaction potentials by analytically solving the Langevin equation. We found that the spring constant of interfacial potentials calculated based on a harmonic approximation increased concomitantly with the increase in surface potentials, indicating the dominant role of electrostatic interactions. Intriguingly, the spring constants of particles coated with phospholipids do not follow electrostatic interactions. The spring constant of particles coated with zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine was larger compared to membranes incorporating positively or negatively charged lipids. Our data suggested the presence of another underlying molecular level interaction, such as phosphocholine-saccharide interactions. The fact that phosphatidylcholine sustains the binding capability to enzymatically degraded mucin suggests that the direct delivery of phosphatidylcholine to the damaged mucus is a promising strategy for the better treatment of patients affected by inflammatory bowel diseases.

Impacts of interfacial interaction on properties of melamine formaldehyde microsphere/rubber: I. filler dispersion and curing dynamic

ABSTRACTMelamine formaldehyde microsphere (MF) was incorporated into nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), respectively. The interaction between MF and rubber and effects of interfacial interaction on the dispersion of filler in rubber matrix, dynamic mechanical analysis, vulcanisation characteristics and kinetics were studied. The results showed that MF interacted with NBR through hydrogen bonds while there had no observed interaction between MF and SBR. The parameter b of MF/NBR calculated by the ratio of modulus and strains increased significantly, which demonstrated further the strong interaction between MF and NBR. For MF/SBR system, however, the parameter b changed slightly with little polymer–filler interaction. The Scanning Electron Microscope images released that strong polymer–filler interaction caused the uniform dispersion of MF in NBR matrix. The vulcanisation of MF/rubber was fitted by Ghoreishy’s model, and the addition of MF increased the rate of curing, shear modulus of compound and activity energy.

Assembly of graphene-aligned polymer composites for thermal conductive applications

Abstract As one important member of graphene-based composites, graphene-aligned composites have drawn large amount of attention and made a great progress in academia and industry. Hence, we present a survey of the literature about graphene-aligned composites. Various their preparations are reviewed and the effects of interfacial interactions between graphene and polymer on the preparation and properties of aligned composites are also discussed. As high thermal conductive materials are becoming necessary, graphene-aligned composites show enormous potential in the applications of thermal conduction.

Effects of interfacial interactions and interpenetrating brushes on the electrospinning of cellulose nanocrystals-polystyrene fibers

This study investigated the electrospinning of polystyrene solutions using added unmodified and modified (with grafted nitrobenzene and trifluoromethyl benzene functionalities and polystyrene brushes) cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). A strong correlation existed between the formation of beads on the fibers and the degree of dispersion of CNC particles in the electrospinning mixtures. Agglomerates of CNC particles always concentrated in the form of beads. The best dispersion in N,N dimethylformamide (DMF) mixtures was obtained using CNC-2 surfaces that were modified using trifluoromethyl benzene functional groups. Using CNC-2 also resulted in both uniform and bead-free electrospun fibers. Despite good dispersion in DMF, the use of grafted polystyrene (PS) chains with CNC-g resulted in beads above a 1.0% concentration level. This result is attributed to more favorable interactions between the CNC-g brushes during the DMF solvent evaporation stage of electrospinning. The electrospinning of CNC/PS nanocomposites at very low CNC concentrations (<1.0%) showed strong adhesion bonds at the polymer-CNC interfaces. Excellent mechanical properties were also produced by using interpenetrating networks of surface brushes.

A review on the role of interface in mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of polymer composites

Composite materials and especially polymer composites are widely used in daily life and different industries due to their vastly different properties and design flexibility. It is known that the properties of the composites are strongly related to the properties of its constituents. However, it has been reported in many studies, experimentally and by simulations, that the characteristics of the composites do not follow the rule of mixing. It means that in addition to properties of the constituents, there are other parameters affecting the final physicochemical properties of composites. The interfacial interactions between fillers and host is one of the factors which can strongly affect the properties of the composite. In this review, we summarized the type of interactions between the constituents, their improvement techniques, interaction measurement methods, and the effects of interfacial interactions on thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of composites.

Effect of interfacial interaction on rheological, electrically conductive, and electromagnetic shielding properties of polyethylene/GO composites

To regulate interfacial interaction between the polyethylene (PE) and graphene oxide (GO), maleic anhydride grafted high density polyethylene (PE‐g‐MAH) was utilized to enhance interfacial interaction between PE matrix and GO particles. Moreover, as a comparative investigation, γ‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550) was used to functionalize GO (f‐GO) so as to improve the interfacial interaction between PE matrix and GO particles. Compared to the addition of the PE‐g‐MAH, the f‐GO had better dispersion in the PE/f‐GO composites, indicating that functionalization of the GO with KH550 was the most effective way to improve the dispersion of the GO. However, the gel point for the PE/GO composite was not observed because the fillers network was not formed in the PE/GO composite. Compared to the f‐GO particles, addition of PE‐g‐MAH was efficiency to build network structure of the GO particles so that the electrical conductivity of the PE/GO composites can be effectively improved. Moreover, the electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of the PE/GO composites with addition of PE‐g‐MAH (PE/M‐GO) was consistently higher than that of the PE/f‐GO composites, indicating that the PE‐g‐MAH can effectively improve the EMI SE of the PE/GO composites. In addition, the microwave absorption (SEA) was main shielding mechanism for the PE/f‐GO, PE/M‐GO, and PE/GO composites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1774–1781, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers

Enhancement of photocatalytic performance in sonochemical synthesized ZnO–rGO nanocomposites owing to effective interfacial interaction

Nanocomposites composed of two or more components with desirable performance have attracted tremendous attention, mainly due to the synergic effect between the components. The effective combination of ZnO and reduced graphene oxide would lead to ameliorate the photocatalytic performance. To enhance applicability of semiconductor photocatalytic, the composites used should be good interfacial contact governed by suitable particle size distribution. Herein we aim to fabricate the different crystallize size of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) in ZnO–reduced graphene oxide (ZnO–rGO) nanocomposites by sonochemical synthesis and subsequent facile drying treatment method. The Zn precursor, Zn(Ac)2, with a plenty of functional groups, was used as a starting source for both reduction of graphene oxide and formation of ZnO on rGO sheets through chemical bonds without the addition of hazardous reducing agents. LiOH was chosen as an assistive reagent to enhance the complete reaction between Zn(Ac)2 and GO in the formation of ZnO–rGO nanocomposites. More remarkably, drying condition has the great influence on the crystallize size of ZnO NPs in as-prepared ZnO–rGO nanocomposites. It is found that ZnO–rGO nanocomposites dried at −50 °C (freeze drying) show the highest photocatalytic efficiency in the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) as compared to ZnO–rGO nanocomposites by other drying conditions under visible-light irradiation. Correlating the crystallize size obtained by different drying temperatures with the photocatalytic activity, it is probed that the smaller crystallize size in ZnO–rGO nanocomposites enhances the interfacial contact and a chemical bonding between rGO and ZnO NPs leading to the effective separation of electrons and holes. In addition, the O 2 ·− anion was determined to be the main active oxidant by free radicals trapping experiment and a photodegradation mechanism of ZnO–rGO nanocomposites over rhodamine B (RhB) was proposed based on our observations.

Evaluation of stearic acid modified industrial lime sludge waste as a filler in high density polyethylene composites

Abstract Industrial lime sludge (LS), an environmental hazard, is surface modified by stearic acid (SA) in order to reinforce high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites. Uncoated and SA-coated LS-reinforced HDPE composites are prepared and their mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties are studied and compared with each other. FTIR spectroscopy revealed successful grafting of SA onto LS particles while SEM morphology showed that SA coating hinders particle agglomeration in the HDPE matrix at higher filler loading. Mechanical properties such as tensile and flexural strength and modulus, elongation at break, and impact strength increased significantly for SA-coated LS composites due to uniform particle dispersion and effective filler-matrix interfacial interaction. The SA coating increased the entanglement at the filler-matrix interface thereby increasing the thermal decomposition of the coated composites from 500°C to 600°C. Additionally, it also reduced the water absorption rate of the coated composites in comparison with its uncoated counterpart. Thus, SA proves to be an efficient surface modifier for LS to produce HDPE composites with superior properties at a low cost. Needless to say, this study also suggests an alternative LS waste management route which offers benefits of reusing an industrial waste, decreasing the pollution, and developing fresh polymeric products.

Effects of enhanced hydrogen bonding on the mechanical properties of poly (vinyl alcohol)/carbon nanotubes nanocomposites

In this study, poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) composites reinforced by multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) functionalized with either phenolic hydroxyl groups (MWCNTs-f-OH) or PVP molecule (PVP@MWCNTs) were fabricated. The objective was to elucidate the effect of different MWCNTs surface functionalization on the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. It was found that both of PVP@MWCNTs and MWCNTs-f-OH had a good dispersion in PVA matrix. However, the MWCNTs-f-OH had stronger effective interfacial interaction with PVA matrix than PVP@MWCNTs, owe to the formation of hydrogen bonds between MWCNTs-f-OH and PVA. The stress-strain measurements showed that the Young’s modulus and tensile strength of MWCNTs-f-OH/PVA with only 1.0 wt.% contents increased by 200 and 100% compare with that of PVA, respectively. The findings of this experimental study emphasized the critical role of MWCNTs surface morphology in determining the mechanical properties of nanocomposites, and shed new light on understanding and advancing the properties of carbon nanotube based composites.

High-Performance Cementitious Matrix using Carbon Nanofibers

Graphite nanomaterials would realize their reinforcement potential within cement-based materials when they are thoroughly dispersed and effectively bonded to cement hydrates. Thorough dispersion of graphite nanomaterials in the fresh cementitious matrix encounters challenges associated with the hydrophobic nature of nanomaterial surfaces and their strong tendency towards agglomeration via attractive van der Waals forces. Effective interfacial interactions with cement hydrates are further challenged by the relatively inert nature of nanomaterial surfaces. An experimental program was conducted with the objective of effectively utilizing both acid-oxidized and pristine carbon nanofibers towards reinforcement of high-performance cementitious pastes. Hybrid reinforcement systems comprising optimum volume fraction of carbon nanofibers and micro-scale fibers were also evaluated in cementitious matrices. The improvements in nanofiber dispersion and interfacial interactions resulting from acid-oxidation and use of proper dispersion techniques were found to bring about significant gains in the engineering properties of high-performance cementitious materials.

Ion-Specific Modulation of Interfacial Interaction Potentials between Solid Substrates and Cell-Sized Particles Mediated via Zwitterionic, Super-Hydrophilic Poly(sulfobetaine) Brushes.

Zwitterionic polymer brushes draw increasing attention not only because of their superhydrophilic, self-cleaning capability but also due to their excellent antifouling capacity. We investigated the ion-specific modulation of the interfacial interaction potential via densely packed, uniform poly(sulfobetaine) brushes. The vertical Brownian motion of a cell-sized latex particle was monitored by microinterferometry, yielding the effective interfacial interaction potentials V(Δh) and the autocorrelation function of height fluctuation. The potential curvature V″(Δh) exhibited a monotonic increase according to the increase in monovalent salt concentrations, implying the sharpening of the potential confinement. An opposite tendency was observed in CaCl2 solutions, suggesting that the ion specific modulation cannot be explained by the classical Hofmeister series. When the particle fluctuation was monitored in the presence of free sulfobetaine molecules, the increase in [sulfobetaine] resulted in a distinct increase in hydrodynamic friction. This was never observed in all the other salt solutions, suggesting the interference of zwitterionic pairing of sulfobetaine side chains by the intercalation of sulfobetaine molecules into the brush layer. Furthermore, poly(sulfobetaine) brushes exhibited a very low V″(Δh) and hydrodynamic friction to human erythrocytes, which seems to explain the excellent blood repellency of zwitterionic polymer materials.

Effects of interfacial interactions and of crystallization on rigid amorphous fraction and molecular dynamics in polylactide/silica nanocomposites: A methodological approach

We employ a partly new experimental approach to polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) based on a semicrystalline matrix, in order to distinguish between phenomena affiliated, on the one hand, to interactions between polymer and nanoparticles, and, on the other hand, to polymer crystals. Thus, effects of silica nanoparticles and of crystalline fraction (CF) on glass transition and segmental dynamics in poly (l–lactic acid) were investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and broadband dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS). Analysis of results involves combination of measurements on initially amorphous and on semicrystalline (annealed) samples. No change in the glass transition temperature by the filler is observed by DSC, whereas the heat capacity step decreases in the PNCs. The segmental α relaxation (dynamic glass transition) in DRS becomes, however, faster and weaker in the PNCs. Results are rationalized in terms of the rigid amorphous fraction (RAF) due to filler (interfacial polymer, RAFfiller) and due to polymer crystals (RAFcrystal). RAFfiller and RAFcrystal were disentangled from the total RAF via two assumptions: (a) assuming the same RAFcrystal to CF ratio in the neat matrix and the PNCs, and (b) assuming the same RAFfiller in amorphous and semicrystalline samples. Changes of the various polymer fractions with composition show similar trends in DSC and DRS. RAFfiller was found to increase with filler fraction, with a saturation for the largest loading (20 wt%), assigned to filler aggregation confirmed by morphological characterization. Both RAFcrystal and mobile amorphous fraction, MAF, were found within experimental error almost constant with filler loading. The overall results suggest that interfacial interactions (RAFfiller) in combination with changes in semicrystalline morphology dominate polymer dynamics in semicrystalline PNCs.

A bio-inspired strategy for the interfacial assembly of graphene oxide with in situ generated Ag/AgCl: designing sustainable hybrid photocatalysts.

Herein, we report a polyamine-mediated assembly to integrate graphene oxide (GO) sheets with Ag/AgCl to fabricate a hybrid nanocomposite (GO-Ag/AgCl) at nearly neutral pH and ambient temperature. Inspired by the role of polyamines in the excellent integration of components to generate hierarchical nanostructures in biominerals such as diatoms, we showed that our strategy enabled the fabrication of GO-semiconductor composites with a well-integrated structure. The polyamines not only facilitated the in situ generation of Ag/AgCl, but also simultaneously allowed their interaction with GO suitable for visible light active photocatalysis, as revealed by the detailed characterization of the synthesized materials. Consequently, the GO-Ag/AgCl exhibited nearly 5 times higher photocatalytic activity and better photostability than Ag/AgCl under visible light irradiation. The nanocomposite reached its highest activity at the graphene content of 4.16 wt%. Thus, the assembly process represented an effective way to design hybrid composites. Moreover, as a sustainable photocatalyst, it facilitates effective separation of the photogenerated charge carriers at the interface, thereby improving activity and stability.

Polymer nanocomposites processed via self-assembly through introduction of nanoparticles, nanosheets, and nanofibers

Nanocomposites offer the theoretical potential to achieve mechanical properties surpassing those of conventional (micro-scale) composites. The underlying reasons for the high potential of nanocomposites include the uniquely high mechanical attributes of nano-scale reinforcement, effective control of defect size and growth by nano-spaced interfaces, and interactions between the polymer matrix and the large surface areas of nanomaterials. Attempts to produce nanocomposites via conventional processing techniques have encountered challenges associated with thorough dispersion and effective interfacial interactions of nano-scale reinforcement with the polymer matrix. In order to address these challenges, materials were processed into polymer nanocomposites via electrostatically driven layer-by-layer self-assembly. Electrostatically dispersed nanomaterials and oppositely charged polyelectrolytes were sequentially built upon a substrate (cellular scaffold). The self-assembled nanocomposites, after complementary cross-linking, provided a unique balance of strength and ductility, which surpassed those of conventional (micro-scale) composites. Self-assembly was found to be an effective approach to producing nanocomposites embodying uniformly dispersed nanomaterials with controlled interfacial interactions. This approach is highly versatile and enables introduction of diverse nanomaterials into polymer nanocomposites. The work reported herein evaluated introduction of diverse categories of nanomaterials incorporating nanoparticles, nanosheets, nanotubes, and nanofibers. This investigation also evaluated the potential for a biomimetic approach to processing of light-weight structural systems by self-assembly of polymer nanocomposites onto cellular scaffolds.