http://www.mdpi.com/journal/materials/special_issues/nanocomposites/ Dear Colleagues, Optical or magnetic characteristics can change upon decrease of particle sizes to very small dimensions (around 100 nm or well below, depending on the requested effect), which is in general of major interest in the area of composite materials. With this respect, frequently considered features are superparamangetism or optical properties (for example, the extent of light scattering or, in the case of metal particles, the color). The reduction in light scattering upon usage of nanoparticles can also be of interest in combination with other properties which favorably improve characteristics of polymeric materials, such as UV absorption, photoconductivity or modification of refractive indices. Certain optical effects, for instance iridescence or dichroism, emerge only by particular distributions of the nanoparticles within the polymer matrix. The fact that properties of nanocomposites can differ from those of analogous composites with larger particles self-evidently offers a plethora of opportunities for the creation of materials with exceeding performance. Prof. Dr. Walter Remo Caseri Guest Editor Submission All papers should be submitted to materials@mdpi.com. To be published continuously until the deadline and papers will be listed together at the special website. Submitted papers should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere. All papers are refereed through a peer-review process. A guide for authors is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed quarterly journal published by MDPI. Review manuscripts: Before writing their manuscripts, potential authors of review articles should forward the title and a short abstract to materials@mdpi.com. We will then provide feedback on the suitability of the topic. Open Access publication fees are 300 CHF per paper. English correction fees and/or formatting fees (250 CHF) will be added in certain cases (550 CHF per paper for those papers that require extensive additional formatting and/or English corrections). http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/4/11/1956/ The purpose of this study was to obtain polyamide 6 nanocomposites with national organically modified clay with three quaternary ammonium salts. The obtained results confirm the intercalation of molecules of salt in the clay layers, and a good interaction with the polymer, showing the formation of intercalated and/or partially exfoliated structures. The nanocomposites showed similar thermal stability compared to pure polymer, and the mechanical properties presented interesting and promising results. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/4/11/1956/ Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 CET Materials 2011-11-02 4 11 Article 1956 1966 1996-1944 Polyamide 6 Nanocomposites with Inorganic Particles Modified with Three Quaternary Ammonium Salts 2011-11-02 doi: 10.3390/ma4111956 Edcleide Maria Araujo Amanda Melissa Damião Leite Rene Anisio da Paz Vanessa da Nóbrega Medeiros Tomas Jeferson Alves de Melo Hélio de Lucena Lira http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/4/9/1619/ Our continuing quest to improve the performance of polymer composites under moist and saltwater environments has gained momentum in recent years with the reinforcement of inorganic nanoparticles into the polymer. The key to mitigate degradation of composites under such environments is to maintain the integrity of the fiber/matrix (F/M) interface. In this study, the F/M interface of carbon/vinyl ester composites has been modified by coating the carbon fiber with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS). POSS is a nanostructured inorganic-organic hybrid particle with a cubic structure having silicon atoms at the core and linked to oxygen atoms. The advantage of using POSS is that the silicon atoms can be linked to a substituent that can be almost any chemical group known in organic chemistry. Cubic silica cores are ‘hard particles’ and are about 0.53 nm in diameter. The peripheral organic unit is a sphere of about 1–3 nm in diameter. Further, cubic structure of POSS remains intact during the polymerization process and therefore with appropriate functional groups, if installed on the fiber surface, would provide a stable and strong F/M interface. Two POSS systems with two different functional groups; namely, octaisobutyl and trisilanolphenyl have been investigated. A set of chemical and mechanical procedures has been developed to coat carbon fibers with POSS, and to fabricate layered composites with vinyl ester resin. Interlaminar shear and low velocity impact tests have indicated around 17–38% improvement in mechanical properties with respect to control samples made without the POSS coating. Saltwater and hygrothermal tests at various environmental conditions have revealed that coating with POSS reduces water absorption by 20–30% and retains the composite properties. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/4/9/1619/ Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 CEST Materials 2011-09-21 4 9 Article 1619 1631 1996-1944 Coating of Carbon Fiber with Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS) to Enhance Mechanical Properties and Durability of Carbon/Vinyl Ester Composites 2011-09-21 doi: 10.3390/ma4091619 Hassan Mahfuz Felicia Powell Richard Granata Mahesh Hosur Mujib Khan http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/7/4066/ Polymer nanocomposites show unique properties combining the advantages of the inorganic nanofillers and the organic polymers. The mesoporous silica nanofillers have received much attention due to their ordered structure, high surface area and ease for functionalization of the nanopores. To accommodate macromolecules, the nanopores lead to unusually intimate interactions between the polymer and the inorganic phase, and some unusual properties can be observed, when compared with nonporous fillers. Whereas many review articles have been devoted to polymer/nonporous nanofiller nanocomposites, few review articles focus on polymer/mesoporous silica nanocomposites. This review summarizes the recent development in the methods for synthesizing polymer/mesoporous silica nanocomposites based on the papers published from 1998 to 2009, and some unique properties of these composites are also described. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/7/4066/ Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 CEST Materials 2010-07-13 3 7 Review 4066 4079 1996-1944 Synthesis of Polymer—Mesoporous Silica Nanocomposites 2010-07-13 doi: 10.3390/ma3074066 Wei Hu Zhang http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/6/3654/ Polymers are considered to be good hosting matrices for composite materials because they can easily be tailored to yield a variety of bulk physical properties. Moreover, organic polymers generally have long-term stability and good processability. Inorganic nanoparticles possess outstanding optical, catalytic, electronic and magnetic properties, which are significantly different their bulk states. By combining the attractive functionalities of both components, nanocomposites derived from organic polymers and inorganic nanoparticles are expected to display synergistically improved properties. The potential applications of the resultant nanocomposites are various, e.g. automotive, aerospace, opto-electronics, etc. Here, we review recent progress in polymer-based inorganic nanoparticle composites. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/6/3654/ Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 CEST Materials 2010-06-14 3 6 Review 3654 3674 1996-1944 Nanocomposites Derived from Polymers and Inorganic Nanoparticles 2010-06-14 doi: 10.3390/ma3063654 Jeon Baek http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/6/3468/ The addition of inorganic spherical nanoparticles to polymers allows the modification of the polymers physical properties as well as the implementation of new features in the polymer matrix. This review article covers considerations on special features of inorganic nanoparticles, the most important synthesis methods for ceramic nanoparticles and nanocomposites, nanoparticle surface modification, and composite formation, including drawbacks. Classical nanocomposite properties, as thermomechanical, dielectric, conductive, magnetic, as well as optical properties, will be summarized. Finally, typical existing and potential applications will be shown with the focus on new and innovative applications, like in energy storage systems. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/6/3468/ Fri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 CEST Materials 2010-05-28 3 6 Review 3468 3517 1996-1944 Polymer-Nanoparticle Composites: From Synthesis to Modern Applications 2010-05-28 doi: 10.3390/ma3063468 Hanemann Szabó http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/5/2986/ Biomedical polymer-silicate nanocomposites have potential to become critically important to the development of biomedical applications, ranging from diagnostic and therapeutic devices, tissue regeneration and drug delivery matrixes to various bio-technologies that are inspired by biology but have only indirect biomedical relation. The fundamental understanding of polymer-nanoparticle interactions is absolutely necessary to control structure-property relationships of materials that need to work within the chemical, physical and biological constraints required by an application. This review summarizes the most recent published strategies to design and develop polymer-silicate nanocomposites (including clay based silicate nanoparticles and bioactive glass nanoparticles) for a variety of biomedical applications. Emerging trends in bio-technological and biomedical nanocomposites are highlighted and potential new fields of applications are examined. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/5/2986/ Wed, 28 Apr 2010 00:00:00 CEST Materials 2010-04-28 3 5 Review 2986 3005 1996-1944 Development of Biomedical Polymer-Silicate Nanocomposites: A Materials Science Perspective 2010-04-28 doi: 10.3390/ma3052986 Wu Gaharwar Schexnailder Schmidt http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/4/2884/ In the last few years, great attention has been paid to the preparation of polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) due to the tremendous enhancement of the mechanical, thermal, electrical, optical and structural properties of the pristine material. This is due to the unique combination of structural, mechanical, electrical, and thermal transport properties of CNTs. However, it is well-known that the properties of polymer-based nanocomposites strongly depend on the dispersion of nanofillers and almost all the discussed properties of PP/CNTs nanocomposites are strongly related to their microstructure. PP/CNTs nanocomposites were, mainly, prepared by melt mixing and in situ polymerization. Young’s modulus, tensile strength and storage modulus of the PP/CNTs nanocomposites can be increased with increasing CNTs content due to the reinforcement effect of CNTs inside the polymer matrix. However, above a certain CNTs content the mechanical properties are reduced due to the CNTs agglomeration. The microstructure of nanocomposites has been studied mainly by SEM and TEM techniques. Furthermore, it was found that CNTs can act as nucleating agents promoting the crystallization rates of PP and the addition of CNTs enhances all other physical properties of PP. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the existing literature related to PP/CNTs nanocomposite preparation methods and properties studies. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/4/2884/ Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:00:00 CEST Materials 2010-04-21 3 4 Review 2884 2946 1996-1944 Microstructure and Properties of Polypropylene/Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites 2010-04-21 doi: 10.3390/ma3042884 Bikiaris http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/4/2588/ Recent studies on the intercalation and exfoliation of layered clays with polymeric intercalating agents involving poly(oxypropylene)-amines and the particular uses for epoxy nanocomposites are reviewed. For intercalation, counter-ionic exchange reactions of clays including cationic layered silicates and anionic Al-Mg layered double hydroxide (LDH) with polymeric organic ions afforded organoclays led to spatial interlayer expansion from 12 to 92 Å (X-ray diffraction) as well as hydrophobic property. The inorganic clays of layered structure could be modified by the poly(oxypropylene)amine-salts as the intercalating agents with molecular weights ranging from 230 to 5,000 g/mol. Furthermore, natural montmorillonite (MMT) clay could be exfoliated into thin layer silicate platelets (ca. 1 nm thickness) in one step by using polymeric types of exfoliating agents. Different lateral dimensions of MMT, synthetic fluorinated Mica and LDH clays had been cured into epoxy nanocomposites. The hydrophobic amine-salt modification resulting in high spacing of layered or exfoliation of individual clay platelets is the most important factor for gaining significant improvements of properties. In particular, these modified clays were reported to gain significant improvements such as reduced coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), enhanced thermal stability, and hardness. The utilization of these layered clays for initiating the epoxy self-polymerization was also reported to have a unique compatibility between clay and organic resin matrix. However, the matrix domain lacks of covalently bonded crosslink and leads to the isolation of powder material. It is generally concluded that the hydrophobic expansion of the clay inter-gallery spacing is the crucial step for enhancing the compatibility and the ultimate preparation of the advanced epoxy materials. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/4/2588/ Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:00:00 CEST Materials 2010-04-06 3 4 Review 2588 2605 1996-1944 Hydrophobic Modification of Layered Clays and Compatibility for Epoxy Nanocomposites 2010-04-06 doi: 10.3390/ma3042588 Lin Chan Lan http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/3/1709/ This paper presents an overview on recent developments of imogolite reinforced nanocomposites, including fundamental structure, synthesis/purification of imogolite, physicochemical properties of nanocomposites and potential applications in industry. The naturally derived nanotubular material of imogolite represents a distinctive class of nanofiller for industrially significant polymer. The incompatibility between the surface properties of inorganic nanofiller and organic matrix has prompted the need to surface modify the imogolite. Early problems in increasing the binding properties of surface modifier to imogolite have been overcome by using a phosphonic acid group. Different approaches have been used to gain better control over the dispersal of nanofiller and to further improve the physicochemical properties of nanocomposites. Among these, polymer grafting, in situ synthesis of imogolite in polymer matrix, and spin-assembly are some of the promising methods that will be described herein. This imogolite reinforced nanocomposite of enhanced optical and mechanical properties, and with unique biological and electronic properties, is expected to become an important category of hybrid material that shows potential for industrial applications. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/3/1709/ Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 CET Materials 2010-03-09 3 3 Review 1709 1745 1996-1944 Imogolite Reinforced Nanocomposites: Multifaceted Green Materials 2010-03-09 doi: 10.3390/ma3031709 Weng On Yah Kazuya Yamamoto Nattha Jiravanichanun Hideyuki Otsuka Atsushi Takahara http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/3/1593/ Many attempts have been made to fabricate various types of inorganic nanoparticle-filled polymers (filler/polymer nanocomposites) by a mechanical or chemical approach. However, these approaches require modification of the nanofiller surfaces and/or complicated polymerization reactions, making them unsuitable for industrial-scale production of the nanocomposites. The author and coworkers have proposed a simple melt-compounding method for the fabrication of silica/polymer nanocomposites, wherein silica nanoparticles without surface modification were dispersed through the breakdown of loose agglomerates of colloidal nano-silica spheres in a kneaded polymer melt. This review aims to discuss experimental techniques of the proposed method and its advantages over other developed methods. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/3/1593/ Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 CET Materials 2010-03-04 3 3 Review 1593 1619 1996-1944 Development of Fabrication Methods of Filler/Polymer Nanocomposites: With Focus on Simple Melt-Compounding-Based Approach without Surface Modification of Nanofillers 2010-03-04 doi: 10.3390/ma3031593 Mitsuru Tanahashi http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/2/1461/ Polymer/metal nanocomposite containing intrinsically anisotropic metal nanostructures such as metal nanorods and nanowires appeared extremely more sensitive and responsive to mechanical stimuli than nanocomposites containing spherical nanoparticles. After uniaxial stretching of the supporting polymer matrix (poly(vinyl alcohol)), the elongated silver nanostructures embedded at low concentration into the polymer matrix ( http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/2/1461/ Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 CET Materials 2010-02-24 3 2 Article 1461 1477 1996-1944 Polymer Nanocomposites Containing Anisotropic Metal Nanostructures as Internal Strain Indicators 2010-02-24 doi: 10.3390/ma3021461 Marco Bernabò Andrea Pucci Hasina Harimino Ramanitra Giacomo Ruggeri http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/2/1316/ The unique size- and shape-dependent electronic properties of nanocrystals (NCs) make them extremely attractive as novel structural building blocks for constructing a new generation of innovative materials and solid-state devices. Recent advances in material chemistry has allowed the synthesis of colloidal NCs with a wide range of compositions, with a precise control on size, shape and uniformity as well as specific surface chemistry. By incorporating such nanostructures in polymers, mesoscopic materials can be achieved and their properties engineered by choosing NCs differing in size and/or composition, properly tuning the interaction between NCs and surrounding environment. In this contribution, different approaches will be presented as effective opportunities for conveying colloidal NC properties to nanocomposite materials for micro and nanofabrication. Patterning of such nanocomposites either by conventional lithographic techniques and emerging patterning tools, such as ink jet printing and nanoimprint lithography, will be illustrated, pointing out their technological impact on developing new optoelectronic and sensing devices. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/2/1316/ Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 CET Materials 2010-02-23 3 2 Review 1316 1352 1996-1944 Colloidal Inorganic Nanocrystal Based Nanocomposites: Functional Materials for Micro and Nanofabrication 2010-02-23 doi: 10.3390/ma3021316 Chiara Ingrosso AnnaMaria Panniello Roberto Comparelli Maria Lucia Curri Marinella Striccoli http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/2/1186/ Polystyrene-silica core-shell nanocomposite particles are successfully prepared via one-step Pickering emulsion polymerization. Possible mechanisms of Pickering emulsion polymerization are addressed in the synthesis of polystyrene-silica nanocomposite particles using 2,2-azobis(2-methyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)propionamide (VA-086) and potassium persulfate (KPS) as the initiator. Motivated by potential applications of “smart” composite particles in controlled drug delivery, the one-step Pickering emulsion polymerization route is further applied to synthesize polystyrene/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)-silica core-shell nanoparticles with N-isopropylacrylamide incorporated into the core as a co-monomer. The polystyrene/PNIPAAm-silica composite nanoparticles are temperature sensitive and can be taken up by human prostate cancer (PC3-PSMA) cells. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/2/1186/ Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 CET Materials 2010-02-16 3 2 Article 1186 1202 1996-1944 The One-Step Pickering Emulsion Polymerization Route for Synthesizing Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposite Particles 2010-02-16 doi: 10.3390/ma3021186 Huan Ma Mingxiang Luo Sriya Sanyal Kaushal Rege Lenore L. Dai http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/2/1089/ Polymer nanocomposites with engineered electrical properties can be made by tuning the fabrication method, processing conditions and filler’s geometric and physical properties. This work focuses on investigating the effect of filler’s geometry (aspect ratio and shape), intrinsic electrical conductivity, alignment and dispersion within the polymer, and polymer crystallinity, on the percolation threshold and electrical conductivity of polypropylene based nanocomposites. The conductive reinforcements used are exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets, carbon black, vapor grown carbon fibers and polyacrylonitrile carbon fibers. The composites are made using melt mixing followed by injection molding. A coating method is also employed to improve the nanofiller’s dispersion within the polymer and compression molding is used to alter the nanofiller’s alignment. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/2/1089/ Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 CET Materials 2010-02-09 3 2 Article 1089 1103 1996-1944 A Route for Polymer Nanocomposites with Engineered Electrical Conductivity and Percolation Threshold 2010-02-09 doi: 10.3390/ma3021089 Kyriaki Kalaitzidou Hiroyuki Fukushima Lawrence T. Drzal http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/2/918/ Concrete science is a multidisciplinary area of research where nanotechnology potentially offers the opportunity to enhance the understanding of concrete behavior, to engineer its properties and to lower production and ecological cost of construction materials. Recent work at the National Research Council Canada in the area of concrete materials research has shown the potential of improving concrete properties by modifying the structure of cement hydrates, addition of nanoparticles and nanotubes and controlling the delivery of admixtures. This article will focus on a review of these innovative achievements. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/2/918/ Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 CET Materials 2010-02-03 3 2 Review 918 942 1996-1944 Cement and Concrete Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 2010-02-03 doi: 10.3390/ma3020918 Laila Raki James Beaudoin Rouhollah Alizadeh Jon Makar Taijiro Sato http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/1/386/ Extrudate swell is often observed to be weakened in nanocomposites compared to the pure polymer matrix. A theory quantifying this would be significant either for optimum processing or for understanding their viscoelasticity. A unified extrudate swell correlation with material properties and capillary parameters was suggested for polymer melt and their nanocomposites when considering the reservoir entry effect. More importantly, it was the first to find that the composite swell ratio can be the matrix swell ratio multiplied by the concentration shift factor, which is similar to the dynamic moduli expression for composites. The factor is a function of the shear field (stress or shear rate), filler content, filler internal structure and the surface state as well as the matrix properties. Several sets of swell data for nanocomposites were chosen from publications to test the new theories. The proposed quantitative model displayed good fit for the five kinds of nanocomposites, which verified the rationality of the swell theory for nanocomposites. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/1/386/ Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 CET Materials 2010-01-12 3 1 Article 386 400 1996-1944 Description of Extrudate Swell for Polymer Nanocomposites 2010-01-12 doi: 10.3390/ma3010386 Kejian Wang http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/2/4/2095/ Highly ordered polymer nanocomposites are complex materials that display a rich morphological behavior owing to variations in composition, structure, and properties on a nanometer length scale. Metal-polymer nanocomposite materials are becoming more popular for applications requiring low cost, high metal surface areas. Catalytic systems seem to be the most prevalent application for a wide range of metals used in polymer nanocomposites, particularly for metals like Pt, Ni, Co, and Au, with known catalytic activities. On the other hand, among the most frequently utilized techniques to prepare polymer/CNT and/or polymer/clay nanocomposites are approaches like melt mixing, solution casting, electrospinning and solid-state shear pulverization. Additionally, some of the current and potential applications of polymer/CNT and/or polymer/clay nanocomposites include photovoltaic devices, optical switches, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, aerospace and automotive materials, packaging, adhesives and coatings. This extensive review covers a broad range of articles, typically from high impact-factor journals, on most of the polymer-nanocomposites known to date: polymer/carbon nanotubes, polymer/metal nanospheres, and polymer/clay nanoplatelets composites. The various types of nanocomposites are described form the preparation stages to performance and applications. Comparisons of the various types of nanocomposites are conducted and conclusions are formulated. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/2/4/2095/ Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CET Materials 2009-11-30 2 4 Review 2095 2153 1996-1944 Insight into the Broad Field of Polymer Nanocomposites: From Carbon Nanotubes to Clay Nanoplatelets, via Metal Nanoparticles 2009-11-30 doi: 10.3390/ma2042095 Eduard A. Stefanescu Codrin Daranga Cristina Stefanescu http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/2/3/1323/ Technologically useful reversible thermochromic materials can be prepared using very simple polymer-embedded nanostructures. In particular, silver nanoparticles capped by long-chain alkyl-thiolate molecules (i.e., Agx(SCnH2n+1)y, with n > 10) spontaneously organize in aggregates because of the interdigitation phenomenon involving the linear alkyl chains bonded at surfaces of neighboring nanoparticles. Owing to the alkylchain interdigitation, nanoparticles very close to each other result and an interaction among their surface plasmon resonances may take place. Surface plasmon interaction causes a splitting of the absorption band whose characteristics depend on the aggregate shape. Since shape-less aggregates are generated, a multiple-splitting of the silver surface plasmon absorption band is observed, which causes a broad absorption spreading on the whole visible spectral region. Amorphous polystyrene containing interdigitated silver nanoparticles has a dark-brown or black coloration, depending on the nanoparticle numerical density, but since the inter-particle distance slightly increases at melting point of interdigitation crystallites a reversible termochromic effect is observed at this special temperature. In particular, the material coloration changes from dark-brown to yellow which is the coloration produced by the surface plasmon absorption of isolated silver nanoparticles. This reversible thermochromism can be finely controlled by modifying the structure of thiolate groups, and precisely, the strength of interactions acting inside the interdigitation crystallites. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/2/3/1323/ Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CEST Materials 2009-09-18 2 3 Review 1323 1340 1996-1944 Reversible Thermochromic Nanocomposites Based on Thiolate-Capped Silver Nanoparticles Embedded in Amorphous Polystyrene 2009-09-18 doi: 10.3390/ma2031323 Gianfranco Carotenuto Francesca Nicolais http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/2/3/1193/ A new nanostructured composite film based on thiol gold nanoparticles dispersed in polycarbonate and prepared by evaporating a solution of 1-dodecanthiol gold nanoparticles and polycarbonate was developed for applications as optical lenses. Lenses with superior mechanical properties, coloring and UV ray absorption and with the same transparency as the matrix were obtained. The supporting highly transparent polycarbonate matrix and the chloroform solution of thiol gold nanoparticles, 3 nm mean size, was mixed according to a doping protocol employing different concentrations of thiol gold nanoparticles vs. polycarbonate. The presence of nanoparticles in the polymer films was confirmed by the spectrophotometric detection of the characteristic absorbance marker peak at 540–580 nm. The nanostructured films obtained show a better coverage in the UV-vis range (250–450 nm) even at very low doping ratios, of the order of 1:1,000. These results offer a very promising approach towards the development of efficient nanostructured materials for applications to optical lenses. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/2/3/1193/ Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CEST Materials 2009-09-02 2 3 Article 1193 1204 1996-1944 Optimization of Optical Properties of Polycarbonate Film with Thiol Gold-Nanoparticles 2009-09-02 doi: 10.3390/ma2031193 Claudio Larosa Enrico Stura Roberto Eggenhöffner Claudio Nicolini