Nanocomposites
Nanotechnology is an extremely diverse and multidisciplinary field that integrates chemistry, physics, material science, and biology to create new material properties with wide-ranging applications such as for producing biomedical products and electronic devices. In recent years, nanocomposites have gained immense attention due to their properties including versatility and extremely high surface to volume ratio compared with their bulk-sized equivalents. Nanocomposites are materials that incorporate nanoparticles into a matrix of standard material to improve its particular property drastically including mechanical strength, toughness, thermal stability, surface appearance, optical clarity, and electrical or thermal conductivity. This further has caused researchers and companies to consider using nanocomposites in several fields of aerospace, automotive, electronics, and biotechnology industries. They are high-performance materials prepared by three methods, intercalation, precipitation, and evaporation further characterizing by techniques like SEM, TEM, XRD, EDS, Raman, and IR spectroscopy. Nanocomposites exhibit unusual property combinations and unique design possibilities thus driving the photocatalytic properties of the semiconductor-based nanomaterials in the visible range. There are several advantages of nanocomposites which offer new technology and business opportunities such as-
- Eco-friendly
- Gas barriers
- Oxygen barriers
- Fuel tanks
- Impellers and blades
- Films
- Flammability reduction
- Solid polymer electrolytes for batteries
- Thin-film capacitors for computer chips
- Speeding up the healing process for broken bones
- Making lightweight sensors
- Making tumors easier to see and remove
Nanocomposites can be classified as ceramic, metallic, and polymer matrix nanocomposites. Ceramic and metal matrix nanocomposites can be used in various industries including aerospace, electronics, and military. Methodologies used for the processing of metal matrix nanocomposites are-
- Spray pyrolysis
- Liquid metal infiltration
- Rapid solidification
- Electrodeposition
Ceramic matrix nanocomposites can be prepared by common techniques including-
- Conventional powder method
- Polymer precursor route
- Spray pyrolysis
- Vapor techniques
- Chemical methods
Due to relatively low strength, polymers serve as excellent host matrices for nanocomposite materials. Polymer-based nanocomposites are used in chemical sensors, electroluminescent devices, and electrocatalysis; however, they are challenges associated with their fabrication. But in near future, they might emerge as an amazing nanomaterial that can help in the miniaturization of electronic devices. More research is needed to understand the interactions at nanoscale sizes and the development of suitable fabrication techniques. The study of nanocomposites is an interdisciplinary area, therefore, in the coming future, they are expected to benefit many sectors of our society and can improve the quality of life.
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