Advances in polymeric nanocomposites for automotive applications: A review

Abstract

The relevance of polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) in the automobile industry has been booming for the last few decades because this kind of material can fulfill the need for lightweight vehicles, and that leads to low gasoline intake and drain gas emission. This review covers the fundamental aspects of polymer-based nanocomposites and their application in the automotive sector. Following an introduction that comprises the need for PNCs and their rewards over traditional materials for instance, excellent thermal and mechanical strength, eco-friendliness, affordable corrosion resistance, low density, and so on. In addition, the review also covers how these composites can be useful in automotive sector applications. Apart from this, the second section covers the different synthetic approaches (solution casting, melt blending, electrodeposition, electrospinning, in-situ polymerization, and others) for the manufacturing of PNCs and their characterizations using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and other techniques. Afterward, the applications of PNCs in different parts of vehicles such as automotive coatings, tires, glasses, and inner parts of the vehicles, extra will be discussed. Finally, discussions related to key areas of PNCs and future perspectives are explained.

Role of ZnO Nanoparticles Loading in Modifying the Morphological, Optical, and Thermal Properties of Immiscible Polymer (PMMA/PEG) Blends

“…It also improves the thermal stability, mechanical, gas barrier, electrical conductivity and molding properties of such blends [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Immiscible polymer blends with metal NPs (e.g., polyethylene/polybutylene terephthalate/silver [ 10 ], polyethylene/polyethylene oxide/silica [ 11 ]), metal oxide (e.g., SiO 2 , ZnO and TiO 2 ) NPs and carbon nanomaterials (e.g., carbon nanotubes)) are widely used in various industries, including automotive, packaging and food industries [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Currently, the main challenge is to optimize the polymer blend composition to minimize NP aggregation and polymer phase separation [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Polymer matrix nanocomposites from the ecological aspect in the automotive industry

“…According to previous research, in order to achieve the simplest and greatest commercialization of PMNCs, it is necessary to emphasize the development of fast and cheap analytical methods for small samples, which can provide a certain degree of exfoliation and orientation, because rheology, and similar methods, require too much time and money [22].…”

Prominent processing techniques to manipulate semiconducting polymer microstructures

“…1,2 The latter can be endlessly designed and then developed via a plethora of synthetic routes. Therefore, polymer molecules display a multitude of physicochemical properties and functions [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] that extend their use and sustainability 16 in a wide-range of applications, 14,15,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] stretching from the automotive [27][28][29][30][31] and aeronautic [32][33][34][35] industry, to packaging [36][37][38][39][40] and adhesive [41][42][43][44] materials, to energy storage [45][46][47]…”

“…1,2 The latter can be endlessly designed and then developed via a plethora of synthetic routes. Therefore, polymer molecules display a multitude of physico-chemical properties and functions 3–15 that extend their use and sustainability 16 in a wide-range of applications, 14,15,17–26 stretching from the automotive 27–31 and aeronautic 32–35 industry, to packaging 36–40 and adhesive 41–44 materials, to energy storage 45–48 and optoelectronics, 25,26,49–53 to additive manufacturing 30,54–57 and environmental remediation, 58–63 to insulator 64–66 and detection 67–70 applications, to medical/drug delivery uses 22,71–79 and antibacterial solutions, 23,80–83 to lithography 20,84–86 and three-/four-dimensional (3D/4D) printing, 87–95 etc.…”