Polymer nanocomposites are materials that combine a polymer matrix with nanomaterials like nanoparticles, nanotubes, or nanoplatelets to enhance properties such as strength and conductivity without significantly increasing weight. These enhancements stem from the high surface area and interaction between the nanomaterials and the polymer, which can improve mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. The processing and integration of nanomaterials into the polymer matrix are crucial and can be achieved through methods like in-situ polymerization or blending.

1. POLYMER
NANOCOMPOSITES

2. In a nutshell Polymer
Nanocomposites
are…
• A composite in which we combine a Polymer matrix with
some kind of nanomaterial.

3. And a
Nanomaterial
is…?
• Spherical nanoparticles; which have all three dimensions in the
nanoscale (e.g. nano-TiO2 or nano-SiO2).
• Nanotubes; which have two dimensions in the nanoscale (e.g.
carbon nanotubes, halloysite clays or nanofibrillated
cellulose).
• Nanoplatelets; which have just one dimension in the
nanoscale (e.g. graphene, hexagonal boron nitride or
bentonite clays).
The particles in the number size distribution must
measure 100nm or below.

4. Why are people
interested in polymer
nanocomposites?
• A number of materials have been
found to exhibit exceptional and/or
unique properties – e.g. strength,
stiffness, electrical and/or thermal
conductivity – when present in their
nano form.
• In making polymer nanocomposites,
the aim is to take these exceptional
properties and impart them on to a
“standard” material.
• We want to take a very small
amount of the nanomaterial and use
it to enhance the properties of a
bulk material without a significant
increase in weight.

5. How do nanocomposites
work..?
Properties enhanced...
• Increases in mechanical properties are generally attributed
to the large surface area interface between the
nanomaterial and the bulk polymer, when compared with a
regular, micron-sized additive.
• This only applies if there is good compatibility between the
nanomaterial and the polymer, in order to allow efficient
stress transfer between the two.
Micro filler dispersed in polymer resin Equivalent amount of nano filler dispersed in resin

6. More Specifically, certain
nanomaterials are thought to improve
fracture toughness...
Crack Deflection -
• Large platelet-like nanomaterials can be
effective at deflecting cracks.
• As a result, the total crack area is
increased and energy absorption is
increased.
Crack bridging -
• Nanotubes can be effective at bridging the
gap created as a crack front progresses.
• Energy is dissipated due to frictional pull-
out of the bridging nanotubes.
• As a result, the crack propagation speed is
reduced.

7. When it comes
to electrical and thermal
properties...
For electrical conductivity, it may not be necessary to aim for perfect, uniform distribution. At low
nanoparticle loadings, the presence of some agglomerates can actually be favourable.

8. Improvements in gas barrier properties...
• Due to the nanomaterials forming a
“tortuous path”, which any small
molecule must traverse in order the
permeate the bulk material.

9. The ability of nanomaterials to improve
the fire performance of composites...
• They contribute to the formation of
a more robust char layer.
• This char layer provides a physical
barrier which helps protect the
unburnt polymer beneath and also
prevents flammable volatiles from
being released from the bulk
material.

10. That’s the theory, however…
Making a polymer nanocomposite remains far from
straightforward, with a number of factors potentially
influencing the final properties, such as...
• The specific grade of nanomaterial being used (for example, if it
is graphene; how many layers does it have? what are the lateral
dimensions? has it been functionalised in any way? etc).
• The amount of nanomaterial being used.
• The way in which the nanomaterial is incorporated into the bulk
polymer.
• The way in which components are manufactured.

11. Processing of polymer
nanocomposites -
•In-situ Polymerization
•Blending

12. In –situ
Polymerization -
• nanofiller must be properly dispersed in the monomer solution before the polymerization.
• ensuring the polymer will be formed between the nanoparticles.
• controllable particle morphology
• good interfacial adhesion of the nanofillers
• limitation is the ease of agglomeration

13. Blending -
Reaching a proper dispersion of the nanofiller in the polymer matrix can be more difficult.
Solution Blending
Melt Blending

14. Applications
-
• Automotive and Aerospace
• Electrical and Electronics
• Packaging
• Biomedical
• Paints and Coatings​

15. Polymer Nanocomposites Market

16. THANK YOU