Functional Polymer Nanocomposites and Nanohybrids: Synthesis, Characterization and Application

Nanoparticle based polymer nanocomposites offer opportunities to develop many advanced materials of multiple functionalities with wide scope for property tunability. All nanocomposite surfaces in this work were prepared by spray coating different substrates with a nanoparticle-polymer solution/dispersion. Multiple functionalities, such as electrical conductivity, extreme water repellency, extreme oil repellency, ice-frost phobicity, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, and magnetic and electrical function were introduced into the polymer composites. Based upon the application, either single or multiple functionalities were incorporated into a single polymer composite. Tailoring the nanofiller property, electrically anisotropic polymer composites were also synthesized. Functional properties of these nanocomposites were characterized with appropriate instrumentation and the performance of these composites was evaluated with regard to specific application.