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Advances in Polymer Nanocomposite Films

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A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanocomposite Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 October 2023) | Viewed by 14478

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Prof. Dr. Teresa Cuberes

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Guest Editor

Departamento de Mecánica Aplicada e Ingeniería de Proyectos, Escuela de Ingeniería Minera e Industrial, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Almadén, Spain
Interests: polymer nanocomposites; scanning probe microscopy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Girish M. Joshi

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Co-Guest Editor

Institute of Chemical Technology Mumbai Marathwada Jalna, Jalna-431203, Maharashtra, India
Interests: graphene; composites; blends; gels; dielectric materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nowadays, we are witnessing remarkable developments in the field of polymer nanocomposites. The possibility of modifying polymer matrix systems by including organic, inorganic and/or hybrid fillers, consisting of individual 1D, 2D or/and 3D nano-entities that may re-assemble within the matrix, has allowed us to explore uncharted scientific effects, as well as to launch innovative domestic and industrial applications. Polymer nanocomposite films enable the development of improved batteries and fuel cells for cleaner energy production and storage, nanogenerators capable of harvesting energy, novel membranes or coatings for biomedical devices with both diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities, membranes for water purification, etc., that are biodegradable and sustainable, compatible with the implementation of a circular economy. This Special Issue aims to highlight the relevance of the polymer matrix structure on polymer-filler and filler-filler interactions at different structural levels ranging from the atomic to the nano/micro scale, and their impact on the resulting properties of the polymer nanocomposites. Special attention is focused on interface and surface effects and their modification induced by external actuation.

We are pleased to invite you to present your research related to the characterization, synergistic effects, synthesis routes and high-level performance of polymer nanocomposite films. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Teresa Cuberes
Prof. Dr. Girish M. Joshi
Guest Editors

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Keywords

biodegradable polymer nanocomposites
stimuli-responsive polymer nanocomposites
fractal organization in polymer nanocomposites
surface/interface modification in polymer nanocomposites
graphene-based polymer nanocomposites
nanodielectrics
microscopy on polymer nanocomposites

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 5259 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Nanostructural Characterization of Luminescent Polyvinyl Alcohol/Graphene Quantum Dots Nanocomposite Films

by Dhanumalayan Elumalai, Beatriz Rodríguez, Ganna Kovtun, Pedro Hidalgo, Bianchi Méndez, Shaik Kaleemulla, Girish M. Joshi and M. Teresa Cuberes

Nanomaterials 2024, 14(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14010005 - 19 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1249

Abstract

This study focuses on the fabrication of polymer nanocomposite films using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/graphene quantum dots (GQDs). We investigate the relationship between the structural, thermal, and nanoscale morphological properties of these films and their photoluminescent response. Although according to X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and differential thermal analysis (DTA), the incorporation of GQDs does not significantly affect the percentage crystallinity of the PVA matrix, for a range of added GQD concentrations, atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed the formation of islands with apparent crystalline morphology on the surface of the PVA/GQD films. This observation suggests that GQDs presumably act as nucleating agents for island growth. The incorporation of GQDs also led to the formation of characteristic surface pores with increased stiffness and frictional contrast, as indicated by ultrasonic force microscopy (UFM) and frictional force microscopy (FFM) data. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the films were found to depend both on the amount of GQDs incorporated and on the film morphology. For GQD loads >1.2%wt, a GQD-related band was observed at ~1650 cm⁻¹ in FT-IR, along with an increase in the PL band at lower energy. For a load of ~2%wt GQDs, the surface morphology was characterized by extended cluster aggregates with lower stiffness and friction than the surrounding matrix, and the PL signal decreased. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Nanocomposite Films)

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16 pages, 8591 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating Gelatin-Based Films with Graphene Nanoparticles for Wound Healing Applications

by Piotr Kamedulski, Marcin Wekwejt, Lidia Zasada, Anna Ronowska, Anna Michno, Dorota Chmielniak, Paweł Binkowski, Jerzy P. Łukaszewicz and Beata Kaczmarek-Szczepańska

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(23), 3068; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13233068 - 02 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 955

Abstract

In this study, gelatin-based films containing graphene nanoparticles were obtained. Nanoparticles were taken from four chosen commercial graphene nanoplatelets with different surface areas, such as 150 m²/g, 300 m²/g, 500 m²/g, and 750 m²/g, obtained in different conditions. Their morphology was observed using SEM with STEM mode; porosity, Raman spectra and elemental analysis were checked; and biological properties, such as hemolysis and cytotoxicity, were evaluated. Then, the selected biocompatible nanoparticles were used as the gelatin film modification with 10% concentration. As a result of solvent evaporation, homogeneous thin films were obtained. The surface’s properties, mechanical strength, antioxidant activity, and water vapor permeation rate were examined to select the appropriate film for biomedical applications. We found that the addition of graphene nanoplatelets had a significant effect on the properties of materials, improving surface roughness, surface free energy, antioxidant activity, tensile strength, and Young’s modulus. For the most favorable candidate for wound dressing applications, we chose a gelatin film containing nanoparticles with a surface area of 500 m²/g. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Nanocomposite Films)

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16 pages, 3442 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spectral Behavior of a Conjugated Polymer MDMO-PPV Doped with ZnO Nanoparticles: Thin Films

by Boutheina Ben Abdelaziz, Nazir Mustapha, Idriss M. Bedja, Osamah Aldaghri, Hajo Idriss, Moez Ibrahem and Khalid H. Ibnaouf

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(17), 2405; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13172405 - 24 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 808

Abstract

The purpose of the presented study is to examine the impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on the spectrum features of poly [2-methoxy-5-(3′,7′-dimethyloctyloxy)-1, 4-phenylenevinylene] (MDMO-PPV). The characteristics of the MDMO-PPV and doped ZnO NPS samples were assessed using several techniques. A set of solutions of MDMO-PPV in toluene that were doped with different ratio percentages of ZnO NPs was prepared to obtain thin films. Pristine and composite solutions were spin-coated on glass substrates. It was observed that MDMO-PPV had two distinct absorbance bands at

310

and

500 nm

in its absorption spectrum. The UV-Vis spectrum was dramatically changed when

5 %

of ZnO NPs were added. The result showed a significant reduction in absorption of the band

500 nm

, while

310 nm

absorption increased rapidly and became more pronounced. Upon adding (10%) ZnONPs to the sample, no noticeable change was observed in the 500 nm band. However, the 310 nm band shifted towards the blue region. There is a dominant peak in the PL spectrum of MDMO-PPV in its pristine form around

575 nm

and a smaller hump around

600 nm

of the spectrum. The spectral profile at 600 nm and the intensity of both bands are improved by raising the ZnO NP concentration. These bands feature two vibronic transitions identified as (0-0) and (0-1). When the dopant concentration increased to the maximum dopant percentage (

10 %

), the energy band gap values increased by

0.21 eV

compared to the pristine MDMO-PPV. In addition, the refractive index (n) decreased to its lowest value of

2.30

with the presence of concentrations of ZnO NPs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Nanocomposite Films)

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15 pages, 13408 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Two-Step Electrochemical Au Nanoparticle Formation in Polyaniline

by Bin Zhao, Hans-Werner Becker and Sebastian Gutsch

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(14), 2089; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13142089 - 17 Jul 2023

Viewed by 696

Abstract

In this work, we use a two-step cyclic electrochemical process to insert Au into polyaniline (PANI). It was suggested previously that this method would lead to the formation of atomic Au clusters with controlleds number of Au atoms without providing morphological proof. In each cycle, tetrachloroaurate anions (AuCl₄⁻) are attached on the protonated imine sites of PANI, followed by a controlled reduction using cyclic voltammetry (CV). In contrast to previous work, we demonstrate that the reduction leads to the nucleation and growth of an Au nanoparticle (NP) whose density and size dispersion depend on the Au loading in PANI. Adding more deposition cycles increases the Au NP density and size. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and corresponding energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) indicate a homogeneous distribution of Au elements in the PANI matrix before CV reduction, while Au elements are aggregated and clearly localized in the NPs positions after CV reduction. We further use Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) to quantify the Au uptake in PANI. The Au distribution is verified to be initially homogeneous across the PANI layer whereas the increasing number of deposition cycles leads to a surface segregation of Au. We propose a two-step growth model based on our experimental results. Finally, we discuss the results with respect to the formation of atomic Au clusters reported previously using the same deposition method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Nanocomposite Films)

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14 pages, 7468 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Magnetic Analysis of MgFe Hydrotalcites as Powder and Dispersed in Thin Films within a Keratin Matrix

by Franco Dinelli, Michele Modestino, Armando Galluzzi, Tamara Posati, Mirko Seri, Roberto Zamboni, Giovanna Sotgiu and Massimiliano Polichetti

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(14), 2029; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13142029 - 08 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 961

Abstract

Hydrotalcites (HTlcs) are a class of nanostructured layered materials that may be employed in a variety of applications, from green to bio technologies. In this paper, we report an investigation on HTlcs made of Mg and Fe, recently employed to improve the growth in vitro of osteoblasts within a keratin sponge. We carried out an analysis of powder materials and of HTlcs dispersed in keratin and spin-coated on a Si/SiO₂ substrate at different temperatures. A magnetic study of the powders was carried out with a Quantum Design Physical Property Measurement System equipped with a Vibrating Sample Magnetometer. The data gathered prove that these HTlcs are fully paramagnetic, and keratin showed a very small magnetic response. Optical and Atomic Force Microscopy analyses of the thin films provide a detailed picture of clusters randomly dispersed in the films with various dimensions. The magnetic properties of these films were characterized using the Nano Magneto Optical Kerr Effect (NanoMOKE) down to 7.5 K. The data collected show that the local magnetic properties can be mapped with a micrometric resolution distinguishing HTlc regions from keratin ones. This approach opens new perspectives in the characterization of these composite materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Nanocomposite Films)

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12 pages, 3384 KiB

Open AccessArticle

MIL-100(Fe)-Based Composite Films for Food Packaging

by Alexandra M. Pak, Elena A. Maiorova, Elizaveta D. Siaglova, Teimur M. Aliev, Elena N. Strukova, Aleksey V. Kireynov, Alexey A. Piryazev and Valentin V. Novikov

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(11), 1714; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13111714 - 23 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1822

Abstract

A biocompatible metal–organic framework MIL-100(Fe) loaded with the active compounds of tea tree essential oil was used to produce composite films based on κ-carrageenan and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose with the uniform distribution of the particles of this filler. The composite films featured great UV-blocking properties, good water vapor permeability, and modest antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The use of metal–organic frameworks as containers of hydrophobic molecules of natural active compounds makes the composites made from naturally occurring hydrocolloids attractive materials for active packaging of food products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Nanocomposite Films)

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20 pages, 10813 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Advanced Cellulose–Nanocarbon Composite Films for High-Performance Triboelectric and Piezoelectric Nanogenerators

by Jaime González, Ali Ghaffarinejad, Maxim Ivanov, Paula Ferreira, Paula M. Vilarinho, Ana Borrás, Harvey Amorín and Bernd Wicklein

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(7), 1206; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13071206 - 28 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1774

Abstract

Natural polymers such as cellulose have interesting tribo- and piezoelectric properties for paper-based energy harvesters, but their low performance in providing sufficient output power is still an impediment to a wider deployment for IoT and other low-power applications. In this study, different types of celluloses were combined with nanosized carbon fillers to investigate their effect on the enhancement of the electrical properties in the final nanogenerator devices. Cellulose pulp (CP), microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were blended with carbon black (CB), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). The microstructure of the nanocomposite films was characterized by scanning electron and probe microscopies, and the electrical properties were measured macroscopically and at the local scale by piezoresponse force microscopy. The highest generated output voltage in triboelectric mode was obtained from MCC films with CNTs and CB, while the highest piezoelectric voltage was produced in CNF-CNT films. The obtained electrical responses were discussed in relation to the material properties. Analysis of the microscopic response shows that pulp has a higher local piezoelectric d₃₃ coefficient (145 pC/N) than CNF (14 pC/N), while the macroscopic response is greatly influenced by the excitation mode and the effective orientation of the crystals relative to the mechanical stress. The increased electricity produced from cellulose nanocomposites may lead to more efficient and biodegradable nanogenerators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Nanocomposite Films)

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18 pages, 3064 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of the Graft Length on Nanocomposite Structure and Interfacial Dynamics

by Anne-Caroline Genix, Vera Bocharova, Bobby Carroll, Philippe Dieudonné-George, Edouard Chauveau, Alexei P. Sokolov and Julian Oberdisse

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(4), 748; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13040748 - 16 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1260

Abstract

Both the dispersion state of nanoparticles (NPs) within polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) and the dynamical state of the polymer altered by the presence of the NP/polymer interfaces have a strong impact on the macroscopic properties of PNCs. In particular, mechanical properties are strongly affected by percolation of hard phases, which may be NP networks, dynamically modified polymer regions, or combinations of both. In this article, the impact on dispersion and dynamics of surface modification of the NPs by short monomethoxysilanes with eight carbons in the alkyl part (C₈) is studied. As a function of grafting density and particle content, polymer dynamics is followed by broadband dielectric spectroscopy and analyzed by an interfacial layer model, whereas the particle dispersion is investigated by small-angle X-ray scattering and analyzed by reverse Monte Carlo simulations. NP dispersions are found to be destabilized only at the highest grafting. The interfacial layer formalism allows the clear identification of the volume fraction of interfacial polymer, with its characteristic time. The strongest dynamical slow-down in the polymer is found for unmodified NPs, while grafting weakens this effect progressively. The combination of all three techniques enables a unique measurement of the true thickness of the interfacial layer, which is ca. 5 nm. Finally, the comparison between longer (C₁₈) and shorter (C₈) grafts provides unprecedented insight into the efficacy and tunability of surface modification. It is shown that C₈-grafting allows for a more progressive tuning, which goes beyond a pure mass effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Nanocomposite Films)

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17 pages, 3803 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multifunctional Cellulosic Natural Rubber and Silver Nanoparticle Films with Superior Chemical Resistance and Antibacterial Properties

by Goragot Supanakorn, Siriporn Taokaew and Muenduen Phisalaphong

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(3), 521; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13030521 - 28 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1814

Abstract

Composite films of natural rubber/cellulose fiber/silver nanoparticle were synthesized in a green route via the latex solution process. Hybrid cellulose filler containing carboxymethyl cellulose and cellulose microfibers was used to facilitate facile and fast preparation and to improve mechanical strength to the composites, respectively. All the composites possessed a high tensile strength of ~120 MPa, a high heat resistance of nearly 300 °C, and more than 20% biodegradability in soil in two weeks. Chemical resistance and antibacterial activity of the composite was enhanced depending on sizes and concentrations of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The composites containing 0.033–0.1% w/w AgNPs retarded toluene uptake to less than 12% throughout 8 h, whereas the composite containing 0.067–0.1% w/w AgNPs exhibited excellent antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In comparison, 50 nm-AgNPs presented higher antibacterial activities than 100 nm-AgNPs. In vitro cytotoxicity test assessed after incubation for 24 h and 48 h revealed that almost all AgNPs-composite films exhibited non/weak and moderate cytotoxicity, respectively, to HaCaT keratinocyte cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Nanocomposite Films)

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Review

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12 pages, 1346 KiB

Open AccessReview

Application Progress of PALS in the Correlation of Structure and Properties for Graphene/Polymer Nanocomposites

by Xiaobing Han, Jie Gao, Tao Chen, Libing Qian, Houhua Xiong and Zhiyuan Chen

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(23), 4161; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12234161 - 24 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1224

Abstract

Giving a deep insight into the microstructure, and realizing the correlation between microstructure and properties is very important to the precise construction of high-performance graphene/polymer nanocomposites (GPN). For the promising application in microstructure characterization, much attention has been focused on the effective technique of positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). Based on the introduction of the basic principle, this review summarized the application progress of PALS in the correlation of microstructure and properties for GPN, especially for the characterization of free volume and interfacial interaction, and the correlation of these microstructures and properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Nanocomposite Films)

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