Nanocomposites of polymer and inorganic nanoparticles for optical and magnetic applications

Abstract

This article provides an up-to-date review on nanocomposites composed of inorganic nanoparticles and the polymer matrix for optical and magnetic applications. Optical or magnetic characteristics can change upon the decrease of particle sizes to very small dimensions, which are, in general, of major interest in the area of nanocomposite materials. The use of inorganic nanoparticles into the polymer matrix can provide high-performance novel materials that find applications in many industrial fields. With this respect, frequently considered features are optical properties such as light absorption (UV and color), and the extent of light scattering or, in the case of metal particles, photoluminescence, dichroism, and so on, and magnetic properties such as superparamagnetism, electromagnetic wave absorption, and electromagnetic interference shielding. A general introduction, definition, and historical development of polymer–inorganic nanocomposites as well as a comprehensive review of synthetic techniques for polymer–inorganic nanocomposites will be given. Future possibilities for the development of nanocomposites for optical and magnetic applications are also introduced. It is expected that the use of new functional inorganic nano-fillers will lead to new polymer–inorganic nanocomposites with unique combinations of material properties. By careful selection of synthetic techniques and understanding/exploiting the unique physics of the polymeric nanocomposites in such materials, novel functional polymer–inorganic nanocomposites can be designed and fabricated for new interesting applications such as optoelectronic and magneto-optic applications.

Fluorescence detection system based on silicon quantum dots–polysilane nanocomposites

“…Nowadays, the development of nano and quantum devices for high tech applications is close to go beyond the fundamental conceptual stage. From this point of view an attractive and still unexplored domain is related to systems were inorganic nanoparticles interact with organic molecules or polymers having specific optoelectronic properties [4][5][6]. The variety of particles and polymers having exciting optical and/or electronic properties continuously grows, and several of them seem to have the necessary potential toward new developments [7][8][9][10].…”

Effect of modified ZnO capped withN-trimellitylimido-L-alanine diacid as an optically active coupling agent on the morphology and thermal properties of poly (amide-imide)/ZnO nanocomposites

“…Most applications on UV absorption require a sharp absorption in λ < 400 nm and a high transparency in the visible range. [36] ZnO, as a semiconducting material, presents an excitation banding energy of 60 meV at room temperature that is in the UV area and makes this NP as an effective UV absorber. [37] The optical properties of the pure PAI, ZnO-TA, and PAI/ZnO-TA NCs containing 4, 8, and 12 wt% of ZnO-TA NPs were examined and shown in Figure 8.…”

Nanoparticle film deposition using a simple and fast centrifuge sedimentation method

“…The nanoparticles also cannot be removed from the wafer when exposed to solvents such as acetone and ethanol. We do not know the bonding specifics between the nanoparticles and PET, but nanoparticles can bind to polymeric surfaces through van der Waals forces (Min et al 2008), hydrogen bonding , electrostatic linkage (Kinge et al 2008), and covalent bonding (Li et al 2010). Furthermore, ligand-stabilized nanoparticles are able to bond to specific sites on monomers (Haryono and Binder 2006).…”