Transparent Nanocomposites Research Articles

Highly Tough Yet Stiff, Transparent, and Recyclable PMMA Nanocomposites Incorporating TPU Nanofibril Networks with High Thermal Stability and Strong Interfacial Adhesion.

In this paper, we develop high aspect ratio nanofibrils from a polycaprolactone-based thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and evaluate their performance as a toughening agent. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was chosen as the matrix material because of its inherent brittleness and low resistance to sudden shocks and impact. We show that the addition of as little as 3 wt % of TPU nanofibrils with an average diameter of ∼98 nm and very high aspect ratio can significantly improve both the tensile toughness (∼212%) and impact strength (∼40%) of the chosen matrix (i.e., PMMA) without compromising its original strength, stiffness, and transparency. We compare the performance of TPU nanofibrils with TPU spherical particles─the form TPU typically manifests into when melt-mixed with an immiscible polymer. Our findings highlight that the structure of TPU plays a crucial role in determining the critical concentration of TPU needed for the brittle-ductile transition of the matrix. We also provide new and valuable insights into the unique interfacial interaction (i.e., formation of fibrillar bridges) observed between the PMMA matrix and TPU. We also show that the inclusion of 3 wt % of TPU nanofibrils can notably enhance resistance to creep deformation, even at temperatures close to the glass transition temperature of the matrix. Finally, we evaluate recyclability and demonstrate that the composite containing 3 wt % of TPU nanofibrils can be mechanically recycled without losing any properties. The proposed TPU nanofibrils can withstand repeated reprocessing at temperatures up to 190 °C due to their very high melting point and thermal stability. This presents the opportunity for them to be utilized not just with amorphous PMMA, but also with a range of other materials that can be processed at or below this temperature to remarkably improve their toughness without sacrificing strength and stiffness.

Ionic liquid based surfactant-free microemulsion as a new protocol for preparation of visible light active poly(methyl methacrylate)/TiO2 nanocomposite

The practical application of sensitized TiO2 nanocomposites is very satisfying due to their high photon utilization in visible light, simple recovery without affecting the photocatalytic performance, high energy efficiency, low potential environmental risk, and low operational costs. The objective of this study is developing the ionic liquid (IL)-based surfactant-free microemulsion, as a soft template, for preparation of a novel type of sensitized poly(methyl methacrylate)/TiO2 nanocomposite (PMMA/TiO2/IL). For this purpose, a series of visible light-responsive PMMA/TiO2/IL transparent nanocomposites were prepared in microemulsion composed of methyl methacrylate monomer, 1-buthyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF4]), and 1-buthanol as amphi-solvent. Techniques such as diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS)), attenuated total reflectance-fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) were used to characterize prepared nanocomposites. Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye under visible light illumination, as an application in wastewater treatment, with the investigation of the influence of TiO2 content in the nanocomposite, pH, and nanocomposite reusability on photodegradation efficiency was studied and maximum value of 93.9% obtained at optimum conditions. The FESEM analysis indicated that the utilization of a relatively low amount of ionic liquid and also in absence of the surfactant ensures the monodispersity of the visible light sensitized TiO2 nanoparticles in the polymer matrix.

Probing multifunctional applications of CeO2:Pr3+ phosphor for optical thermometry, flexible displays, cheiloscopy, anti-counterfeiting applications

Synthesis of CeO2 phosphor, both un-doped and Pr3+ (1–11 mol %) doped, utilizing a solution combustion route with Tulsi extract as a bio-fuel, has been investigated. Characterization through X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence (PL) analysis reveals successful inclusion of Pr3+ at the Ce3+ /Ce4+ site, inducing defects and oxygen vacancies, while maintaining the crystal structure and expanding the CeO2 lattice. Energy Dispersive X-ray spectra confirm the composition with desired stoichiometry. Under 444 nm excitation, the phosphor exhibits intense orange-red emission at 613 nm, corresponding to the 3P0→3H6 transition. With a relative sensitivity of 2.65 % K−1 and an absolute sensitivity of 0.023 K−1, CeO2:5Pr3+ phosphor exhibits remarkable temperature sensor capabilities. Moreover, a transparent nanocomposite (NCs), fabricated using highly efficient phosphors and soluble poly vinyl alcohol (PVA), exhibits bright red emission upon UV 365 nm light, ensuring anti-counterfeiting (AC) performance. The sustainability, excellent flexibility, and foldability of these materials open up possibilities for diverse anticounterfeiting applications. Overall, the results highlight the potential of CeO2:Pr3+ phosphors as versatile luminescent platforms for optical thermometers, flexible films, lip prints (LPs) detection, and AC applications.

Preparation and characterization of transparent advanced smart nanocomposites reinforced by nanofibrillated cellulose/poly(methyl methacrylate)/methyl methacrylate/benzoyl peroxide

Transparent smart nanocomposites, which are among the advanced materials, were developed with the synergistic effect of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFCs) as a natural bionanomaterial, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as a biocompatible microcapsule, methyl methacrylate (MMA) as a monomer, and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as an initiator and catalyst. Epoxy resin was reinforced with NFC, PMMA, MMA, and BPO. Casting, which appears to be an industrially promising method that allows for cost-effective and high-quantity production, was used for producing transparent advanced nanocomposites. The properties of the nanocomposites, including yield strength, modulus of elasticity, hardness, impact energy, and self-healing capability, were determined. Increases in the yield strength (136.4%), modulus of elasticity (260%), hardness (28.3%), and impact energy (75%) were observed in the transparent smart nanocomposites reinforced with NFC, PMMA, MMA, and BPO, compared to pure epoxy composites. Furthermore, the transparent advanced smart nanocomposites self-healed by about 7% after the notch/scratch defect. It has the potential to be used in a variety of applications, such as interior and structural components for the aerospace and automotive industries, packaging, flexible screens, and lightweight transparent materials.

Reversibly stable and highly stretchable transparent polymer nanocomposite adhesives using hierarchical spring-like molecular nanobridges

For the development of stretchable optoelectronic devices, optically transparent composite adhesives should afford reversible stretchability and high optical transmittance as well as strong interfacial adhesion. However, simultaneous achievement of these essential prerequisites for advanced stretchable optical composite adhesives remains challenging. Herein, we offer an unprecedented approach for the fabrication of reversibly stretchable and optically transparent polymer nanocomposite adhesives based on the construction of hierarchical elastic molecular nanobridges between rigid-flexible hybrid nanoparticles and matrix resin. Photoreactive flexible poly(propylene glycol) (meth)acrylate chains were chemically combined with a rigid nano-silica core to form rigid and flexible hybrid nanoparticles. Subsequently, multiple elastic molecular nanobridges between the embedded hybrid nanoparticles and acrylate resin matrix were constructed inside the polymer composite through UV curing, which results in a stretchable interconnection that allows efficient repeated stretching and recovery of stretchable polymer nanocomposite adhesives. The newly fabricated nanocomposite adhesive film with a low content of rigid-flexible hybrid nanoparticles afforded an excellent reversible stretchability and outstanding cyclic elastic durability, and simultaneously maintained high optical transparency (95.1%) and interfacial adhesion strength (21.5 N/25 mm) of the film compared to those of conventional optical adhesive film.

Large-Size ultrathin mica nanosheets: Reinforcements of biobased PEF polyester

Due to the superior physical properties and high-level alignment of the nanoscale building blocks, assembly of high-quality two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets into macroscopic engineering structure materials can achieve many unexpected performance. Natural mica nanosheets (MNSs) are abundant and with superlative properties, showing huge prospect for engineering structural materials. However, the difficulty of the mass production with large size and high aspect ratio are the current factors that limit this. Inspired by the well-known scotch-tape exfoliation, herein we develop a gummy-tape exfoliation (GTE) method by using liquid oligomers as mediums in ball-milling process to massively produce large-size and ultrathin MNSs. As a confirmation, the obtained MNSs show a record high aspect ratio of ≈1320 and a large actual yield of ∼ 80 %. A transparent biobased aromatic polyester nanocomposite film made of such MNSs and polyethylene furandicarboxylate (PEF) matrix possesses remarkably improved mechanical, barrier properties, and UV-shielding performances at an extremely low filler loading (≤0.5 vol%), making it a novel potential engineering material for packing fields in foods, drugs, and electronic products, etc.

Towards enhanced transparent conductive nanocomposites based on metallic nanowire networks coated with metal oxides: a brief review

Silver nanowire networks, coated with metal oxides, are extensively studied from a fundamental perspective. This review summarizes their integration into various applications and guides metal oxide selection based on specific device requirements.

Manipulating mechanical properties of PEG-based hydrogel nanocomposite: A potential versatile bio-adhesive for the suture-less repair of tissue

Multifunctional bio-adhesives with tunable mechanical properties are obtained by controlling the orientation of anisotropic particles in a blend of fast-curing hydrogel with an imposed capillary flow. The suspensions' microstructural evolution was monitored by the small-angle light scattering (SALS) method during flow up to the critical Péclet number (Pe≈1) necessary for particle orientation and hydrogel crosslinking. The multifunctional bio-adhesives were obtained by combining flow and UV light exposure for rapid photo-curing of PEGDA medium and freezing titania rods' ordered microstructures. Blending the low- and high-molecular weight of PEGDA polymer improved the mechanical properties of the final hydrogel. All the hydrogel samples were non-cytotoxic up to 72 h after cell culturing. The system shows rapid blood hemostasis and promotes adhesive and cohesive strength matching targeted tissue properties with an applicating methodology compatible with surgical conditions. The developed SALS approach to optimize nanoparticles’ microstructures in bio-adhesive applies to virtually any optically transparent nanocomposite and any type of anisotropic nanoparticles. As such, this method enables rational design of bio-adhesives with enhanced anisotropic mechanical properties which can be tailored to potentially any type of tissue.

Ultra‐Strong and Transparent Biomimetic Nanocomposite through Orientation Effects and In Situ Biomineralization

AbstractThe fascinating mechanical property of biomaterials in nature to support living organisms largely relies on their hierarchical and ordered structures. However, for the current biomimetic materials, their organic–inorganic heterostructures typically exhibit poor uniformity, weak interfacial bonding, and various defects, limiting the breakthrough in strength and toughness. Herein, an ultra‐strong and transparent biomimetic nanocomposite is presented by combining orientation effects and in situ biomineralization to precisely engineer each level of the hierarchy. The orientation of nanofiber provides long‐range and order matrix to remarkably eliminate defects, promote multi‐scale interfacial bonding and increase the crystalline degree and size of organic matrix; while the in situ mineralization of amorphous inorganic oligomers firmly welds the organic–inorganic interface together to form a continuous and homogeneous monolithic structure. Due to the unique structural features, the nanocomposite exhibits a tensile strength of up to 1168.1 ± 10.2 MPa and a toughness of 34.1 ± 0.8 MJ m−3. Furthermore, the nanocomposite film is imparted with high transparence and anisotropic optical properties. This work is expected to provide insights into the design of high‐performance biomineralized materials from structural coupling to precisely controlling interfaces and microstructure.

Robust Strategy to Improve the Compatibility between Incorporated Upconversion Nanoparticles and the Bulk Transparent Polymer Matrix.

Traditional transparent polymer nanocomposites combined with functional fluorescent inorganic nanofillers are promising for many advanced optical applications. However, the aggregation of the incorporated functional nanoparticles results in light scattering and will decrease the transparency of nanocomposites, which will restrain the application of the transparent nanocomposites. Herein, a robust synthesis strategy was proposed to modify upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) to form UCNP@PMMA core@shell nanocomposites though metal-free photoinduced surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (photo-SI-ATRP), and thus, the dispersity of UCNP@PMMA and the interface compatibility between the surface of UCNPs and the bulk PMMA matrix was greatly improved. The obtained PMMA nanocomposites possess high transparency and show strong upconversion photoluminescence properties, which promises great opportunities for application in 3D display and related optoelectronic fields. This strategy could also be applied to fabricate other kinds of functional transparent polymer nanocomposites with inorganic nanoparticles uniformly dispersed.

Fabrication of transparent TiO2-GO nanocomposites deposited on vertically aligned ZnO nanowire arrays as hybrid nanostructured photo-anode for dye-sensitized solar cells

In this article, we report the fabrication of hybrid nanostructures comprised of vertically aligned Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanowires (NWs) coated with titanium dioxide-graphene oxide (TiO2-GO) nanocomposites by easy, cost-effective, chemical method and demonstrate their utilization as photo-anode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). A thin layer of transparent TiO2 with varying GO amount is deposited on top of vertical ZnO NW arrays by sol-gel spin coating method. A conventional DSSC structure is fabricated by using hybrid structure as photo-anode, ruthenium based N3 dye as photosensitizers, iodine solution (I−/I3+) as electrolyte and fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrate as counter electrode. The fabricated hybrid nanostructure based DSSC exhibits enhanced power conversion efficiency (η) compared to that of pristine ZnO NW photo-anode. Also, other characteristic parameters of DSSCs like open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current density (Jsc) and fill factor (FF) are estimated from the current density-voltage (J-V) relation measured under illumination of 1 sun (100 mW/cm2) solar spectrum for ZnO NW/TiO2-GO hybrid nanostructures. Improvement in these obtained parameters is observed with increasing GO amount in the TiO2-GO nanocomposite layers deposited on top of ZnO NW arrays. Best performance is delivered by the hybrid nanostructure consists of ZnO NW/TiO2-GO (10%)with optimized value of η ∼0.72% along with Voc ∼491 mV, Jsc ∼2.19 mA/cm2 and FF ∼0.66. This betterment in performance is attributed to the combined effects of improvement in charge transport through the axis of ZnO NWs, increment in contact area and modulation of conductivity of TiO2 by inclusion of conducting GO network. The modulation in charge transport properties of hybrid nanostructures with varying GO amount is studied by complex impedance spectroscopic analyses. The study indicates that particular amount of GO significantly modifies the interfacial effects in fabricated hybrid nanostructures to facilitate better charge transportation.

Nanopolymer optically transparent structures, systems and devices

Search and analysis of results of theoretical and experimental studies on literature and patent sources in fields of optical and optical-electronic instrumentation are carried out. Current state and development trends of transparent polymer compositions containing nanoscale fillers, which open up new prospects for optical and optical-electronic instrumentation, are considered. Obtained data and recommendations on improvement and creation of new optically transparent nanocomposites are generalized, and can be used not only for connecting components of optical systems, but also for products in scintillation technology, lighting engineering, photovoltaics, and in many other fields of science and technology. Examples of some currently existing polymer and nanopolymer optical systems are considered, including an organosilicon composition for connecting optical elements, a plastic scintillator with nanostructured phosphors with improved time characteristics and light output values, an LED with multilayered scatterer with a variable index of refraction and an improved yield of radiation, optical compositions with a high refractive index on high transparency silicones for connection with optical elements in light-emitting devices or for lighting devices with a remote phosphor, as well as new materials and methods for dispersing nanoparticles. Given examples clearly show that complexity of the structures and micro dimensions of modern optical and optoelectronic products for their successful implementation and widespread adoption require new easy-to-use and not expensive optically transparent nanomaterials and technologies for their manufacture.

Impact of BaTiO3 on the structural, optical, and nuclear radiation shielding parameters of poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites as transparent shielding material

Six weight percentages (0, 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt(%)) of barium titanate BaTiO3 were doped as a nanoparticle in poly(methyl methacrylate) PMMA and their optical and nuclear radiation shielding properties were investigated. The XRD patterns, FTIR spectra and SEM images confirmed that the nanocomposite films were successfully prepared. The pure PMMA sample demonstrated a significant degree of transparency, approximately 90%. The inclusion of BaTiO3 resulted in a significant reduction in the optical bandgap while maintaining a moderate transmittance level of approximately 40% at a concentration of 10 wt (%). The direct and indirect band gap energy of PMMA were decreased from 4.81 eV to 4.62 eV–1.64 eV and 1.09 eV, respectively, after doping with 20 wt(%) BaTiO3 nanoparticles. The refractive index of the investigated samples was determined using various approaches and seen to increase after nanofiller addition. Seven energy lines, from Eu-152, Cs-137, Na-22 and Ra-226 radioactive gamma ray sources, were used to deduce the gamma ray shielding parameters of the prepared samples. Also, three neutron energy ranges were used to measure the macroscopic cross-sections for the investigated samples. The results showed good agreement between measured values of mass attenuation coefficients and those calculated by WinXCOM computer program. Furthermore, the optimal weight percentage of BaTiO3 in PMMA for attenuation of all examined gamma ray energies was 10 wt (%), whereas it was 15 wt (%) for the investigated three neutron energy ranges. In other words, a novel flexible, transparent and non-toxic polymer nanocomposite shielding material is presented and the samples containing 10–15 wt(%), demonstrates improved radiation attenuation.

Preparation of photochromic solution blow spun polycarbonate nanofibers from recycled plastic for optical anticounterfeiting

In contrast to electrospinning, the newly developed solution blowing spinning (SBS) technology can produce nanofibers at high yield and low-cost without resorting to high voltage. It has been important to eliminate the pollution produced from polycarbonate plastic wastes. An intriguing method for enhancing the anticounterfeiting of numerous commercial goods is photochromism. It has been essential to enhance the engineering process of authentication materials in order to commence a transparent authentication nanocomposite. Herein, we present luminescent nanofibrous membranes prepared from strontium aluminate nanoparticles (SANPs)/recycled polycarbonate (PC) waste via SBS. The UV-motivated photochromic anticounterfeiting capability of the composite nanofibers was explored. For an enhanced dispersion without aggregation in the polycarbonate fibrous bulk, it is required to integrate SANPs in the nanostructure form in order to guarantee the translucent feature of SANPs@PC. Using different SANPs ratios provided different nanofibrous membranes with different emission properties. The morphology of SANPs was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which displayed diameters of 2–9 nm. The morphology, elemental contents, mechanical properties and optical transmittance of the SANPs@PC fibers were investigated using energy-dispersive X-ray (EDXA), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The diameters of SANPs@PC fibers were determined by SEM to be between 280 and 420 nm. An excitation peak (374 nm) and an emission peak (517 nm) were monitored in the SANPs@PC nanofibrous membranes. With the increased SANPs content, the contact angles of the SANPs@PC nanofibrous membranes were found to increase from 143.7° to 155.7°, indicating better superhydrophobicity. The colorless fibers displayed a quick and reversible photochromism to green without becoming fatigued when placed under UV supply. The current anticounterfeiting nanofibrous membranes can be described as a straightforward and efficient method of developing adaptable materials to provide a perfect market with financial and social profits at a low price.

Transparent hierarchical columnar nanocomposites

The expertise of living organisms to combine a desirable set of mechanical and optical properties in biological tissues originates from genetically controlled formation of hierarchical architecture. By mimicking the enamel prisms consisting of nanorod clusters, we integrate high transparency and ultralow haze with enamel-like hardness, modulus, and indentation fracture toughness in hierarchical columnar nanocomposites. The aligned bundled nanorods from a seeded growth on top of single nanorods are the key building unit for combining all these properties, achieving a transmittance as high as 90% in the visible and ultralow haze of less than 1%, when the refractive index of fluorapatite matches with epoxy resin with appropriate crosslinkers. The highly transparent columnar nanocomposites are also optically anisotropic showing apparent birefringence. Compared with single nanorods, bundled nanorods as inorganic motif enable similar modulus but a 40% higher indentation fracture toughness owing to the additional stress passivation mechanism at the intra-rod interface, despite of higher inorganic contents. Better energy dissipation ability under dynamic conditions is achieved for hierarchical columnar nanocomposites because of more effective plastic energy dissipation pathway. The functional synergies achieved in this study using hierarchical design underly a general biomimetic principle for creating high-performance multifunctional materials.

Chemical and Mechanical Characterization of Unprecedented Transparent Epoxy–Nanomica Composites—New Model Insights for Mechanical Properties

Two nanomicas of similar composition, containing muscovite and quartz, but with different particle size distributions, have been used to prepare transparent epoxy nanocomposites. Their homogeneous dispersion, due to the nano-size, was achieved even without being organically modified, and no aggregation of the nanoparticles was observed, thus maximizing the specific interface between matrix and nanofiller. No exfoliation or intercalation has been observed by XRD, despite the significant dispersion of the filler in the matrix which produced nanocomposites with a loss in transparency in the visible domain of less than 10% in the presence of 1% wt and 3% wt of mica fillers. The presence of micas does not affect the thermal behavior of the nanocomposites, which remains similar to that of the neat epoxy resin. The mechanical characterization of the epoxy resin composites revealed an increased Young's modulus, whereas tensile strength was reduced. A peridynamics-based representative volume element approach has been implemented to estimate the effective Young's modulus of the nanomodified materials. The results obtained through this homogenization procedure have been used as input for the analysis of the nanocomposite fracture toughness, which has been carried out by a classical continuum mechanics-peridynamics coupling approach. Comparison with the experimental data confirms the capability of the peridynamics-based strategies to properly model the effective Young's modulus and fracture toughness of epoxy-resin nanocomposites. Finally, the new mica-based composites exhibit high values of volume resistivity, thus being excellent candidates as insulating materials.

Effects of organoclay on colorless and transparent polyimide nanocomposites: thermomechanical properties, morphology, and optical transparency.

Although aromatic polyimide (PI) exhibits excellent mechanical performance and thermal stability, its dark color limits applicability in optical displays. Therefore, it is desirable to manufacture colorless, transparent PI (CPI) nanocomposite films that retain excellent physical properties. In this study, a solution intercalation method was used to disperse organoclay (Cloisite 25A; CS25A) in poly(amic acid), which was prepared using 4,4'-oxydiphthalic dianhydride and 3,4'-oxydianiline as monomers. This dispersion was then subjected to thermal imidization to synthesize CPI hybrid films. The influence of the CS25A content (0-1.00 wt%) on the thermomechanical properties, optical transmittance, and morphology of the prepared films was investigated. The hybrid film with a CS25A content of 0.50 wt% exhibited the best thermomechanical properties. However, upon further increasing the organoclay content to 1.00 wt%, the physical properties deteriorated. At 0.50 wt% CS25A, some agglomeration occurred but most of the clay was well dispersed as nano-sized particles, as revealed by transmission electron microscopy. In contrast, when the CS25A content exceeded a critical content, most of the clay was agglomerated and the physical properties were reduced. All the obtained CPI hybrid films were colorless and transparent, regardless of the organoclay content.

Transparent glass-nanocomposites possessing piezoelectric ZnO/Zn2SiO4 nanocrystallites for piezocatalytic dye degradation

Transparent glass nanocomposites comprising piezoelectric ZnO and β-Zn2SiO4 nanocrystallites in 44SiO2–11Al2O3–35ZnO–10K2O (mol%) glass matrix were explored for piezocatalytic dye degradation application.

Green-in-green biohybrids as transient biotriboelectric nanogenerators

Green self-powered devices based on biodegradable materials have attracted widespread attention. Here, we propose the construction of the transient biotriboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) using green-in-green bionanocompoites. The green-in-green nanocomposites, cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)/polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), are prepared with a high-pressure molding method. The CNC promotes the degradation and enhances the dielectric constant of CNC/PHB. It further allows for the significant improvement of the triboelectric output of CNC/PHB-based TENG. The voltage output and current output of CNC/PHB-based TENG are 5.7 and 12.5 times higher than those of pristine PHB-based TENG, respectively. Also, the bio-TENG exhibits admirable signal stability in over 20000 cycles. Despite the high hardness of CNC/PHB, a soft but simple-structured arch sensor is successfully assembled using CNC/PHB-based TENG. It can attain the precise real-time monitoring of various human motions. This study may provide new insights into the design/fabrication of green functional materials, and initiate the next wave of innovations in eco-friendly self-powered devices.

Flexible and Transparent Ceramic Nanocomposite for Laboratory X-ray Imaging of Micrometer Resolution.

Transparent nanocomposites have attracted considerable attention in many areas including X-ray imaging, wearable electronics, and volumetric display. However, both the transparency and the flexibility were largely jeopardized by the loading content of functional nanoparticles (NPs), posing a major challenge to material engineering. Herein, an ultra-high-loading-ceramic nanocomposite film was fabricated by a blade-coating technique. The film exhibited a high transparency over ∼89% in the whole visible region even with a fluoride-ceramic content up to ∼83 wt %. Based on a real-time investigation on the formation process of the film, the refractive-index difference between the nanoparticles and matrix was identified as the dominating factor to transparency. The transmittance spectra based on Rayleigh scattering theory were simulated to screen both nanoparticle radius and loading content, leading to the discovery of a transparency zone for film making. As a proof-of-concept experiment, the transparent film was used as an X-ray scintillation screen, which exhibited a comparable light yield to that of LYSO owing to the mitigated self-absorption effect. The homemade imager demonstrated a spatial resolution of 122 lp/mm, representing a record resolution of 4.1 μm for laboratory X-ray photography. Our work not only provided an experimental procedure to make high-loading functional films but also demonstrated a theoretical model to guide the search for gradients of transparent composites.