Nanocomposites Based on Thermoplastic Polymers and Functional Nanofiller for Sensor Applications

Abstract

Thermoplastic polymers like polyolefins, polyesters, polyamide, and styrene polymers are the most representative commodity plastics thanks to their cost-efficient manufacturing processes, excellent thermomechanical properties and their good environmental compatibility, including easy recycling. In the last few decades much effort has been devoted worldwide to extend the applications of such materials by conferring on them new properties through mixing and blending with different additives. In this latter context, nanocomposites have recently offered new exciting possibilities. This review discusses the successful use of nanostructured dispersed substrates in designing new stimuli-responsive nanocomposites; in particular, it provides an updated description of the synthetic routes to prepare nanostructured systems having the typical properties of thermoplastic polymers (continuous matrix), but showing enhanced optical, conductive, and thermal features dependent on the dispersion topology. The controlled nanodispersion of functional labeled clays, noble metal nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes is here evidenced to play a key role in producing hybrid thermoplastic materials that have been used in the design of devices, such as NLO devices, chemiresistors, temperature and deformation sensors.

MMT and LDH organo-modification with surfactants tailored for PLA nanocomposites

“…All the surfactants are chosen from among the ammonium salts or carboxylates containing long alkyl chains, aromatic moieties and more recently chemicals able to transfer special functional properties to PLA matrix (antioxidants, UV blockers, chromophores) [11,12]. Quite good results were reached by dispersing the modified inorganic fillers in the PLA matrix with either solvent or melt mixing procedure in terms of morphological and barrier properties (particularly with MMT-based substrates), but the structural and the thermal stability of these systems is still a challenge [10,13,14].…”

Polymer Nanocomposite Film with Metal Rich Surface Prepared by In Situ Single-Step Formation of Palladium Nanoparticles: An Interesting Way to Combine Specific Functional Properties

“…The combination of polymers with metal particles is of great interest for a large range of applications going from sensors to catalysis, barrier applications, antimicrobial applications, conductive materials, or reflective materials [1,2,3,4,5]. The efficiency of the materials facing the intended applications depends both on the metal nature and content and on the metal particles dispersion state and location.…”

Linear Optical Properties of Bromocresol Green Dye Doped Poly Methyl Methacrylate Thin Films

“…The molecular formula of PMMA is (C 5 O 2 H 8 ) n . It is highly amorphous with average M w of about 120,000, and glass transition temperature 105 °C [5]. It is an aromatic polymer made from the aromatic monomer styrene, a liquid hydrocarbon that is commercially manufactured from petroleum by the chemical industry.…”

“…The unique properties of polymers such as low density, ability to form intricate shapes, good mechanical strength versatile, electrical properties and low manufacturing cost made them promising materials that have been successfully used as host matrices for dyes. The wide range of polymer applications can be even more extensive by incorporation of filler into polymer matrix, because dispersed filler may increase the concentration of absorptive or fluorescence centers as well as the opto-chemical and opto-physical stability of host polymer [4][5][6][7].…”