Functional Polymer and Ceramic Nanocomposites

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 May 2025 | Viewed by 4933

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Centre for Energy Research, Institute of Technical Physics and Materials Science, 1121 Budapest, Hungary
Interests: bioceramics; biomaterials; ceramic dispersion strengthened steels; ceramics and nanocomposites for high temperature and tribological applications; open structured funcional materials for sensorics; fibre polymers; composites and coatings
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

When combined, nanocomposites such as polymeric and ceramic-based nanocomposites are multiphase or hybrid materials with remarkably different properties from the bulk components. Nanocomposites differ from conventional composite materials widely used today due to the nanoscale dimensions of the filler phase and the exceptionally high surface-to-volume ratio of this phase. As a result, compared with traditional composites, nanocomposites always hold many unique mechanical, thermal, electrical, magnetic, optical, biological, or catalytic properties, which are controlled by many factors like local chemistry, mobility, morphology, or crystallinity.

Additionally, nanocomposites often offer a combination of several properties, thus making them even more attractive as multifunctional materials for the future, with appealing potential applications in many industrial fields such as aviation and aerospace, automobile, microelectronic devices and power equipment, healthcare, energy materials, sensors, national defense, and military industry and other systems.

Therefore, the objective of this Special Issue is to explore all aspects of polymeric and ceramic nanocomposites and nano-engineered composites, from nanoparticles, synthesis, morphology, structure, interfacial bonding, aging, properties (e.g., mechanical, thermal, electrical, optical, wear, barrier, flame retardancy, antifouling, sensing, and drug release) and characterizations, processing to potential applications.

Dr. Csaba Balázsi
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • polymer nanocomposites
  • ceramic nanocomposites
  • electrical properties
  • thermal properties
  • interface
  • multifunction

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3761 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Energy Density of BaTiO3-Bi(M)O3@SiO2/PVDF Nanocomposites via Filler Component Modulation and Film Structure Design
by Jin Hu and Fangfang Liu
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(8), 569; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15080569 - 8 Apr 2025
Viewed by 270
Abstract
The low energy density (Ud) of polymeric dielectrics is unfavorable for the integration and miniaturization of electronics, thus limiting their application prospects. Introducing high-εr (dielectric constant) ceramic nanofillers to polymer matrices is the most common strategy to enhance [...] Read more.
The low energy density (Ud) of polymeric dielectrics is unfavorable for the integration and miniaturization of electronics, thus limiting their application prospects. Introducing high-εr (dielectric constant) ceramic nanofillers to polymer matrices is the most common strategy to enhance their εr, and hence their Ud. By comparison, enhancing breakdown strength (Eb) is a more effective strategy to enhance Ud. Herein, 0.6BaTiO3-0.4Bi(Mg0.5Ti0.5)O3 and 0.85BaTiO3-0.15Bi(Mg0.5Zr0.5)O3 nanofibers coated with SiO2 were utilized as fillers in PVDF-based nanocomposites. The combination of experimental and simulation results suggests that the intrinsic properties of nanofillers are the determining factor of the Eb of polymer-based nanocomposites, and SiO2 coating and film structure design are effective strategies to enhance their Eb, and consequently their Ud. As a result, the sandwich-structured PVDF/6 wt% 0.85BaTiO3-0.15Bi(Mg0.5Zr0.5)O3@SiO2 nanofiber within PVDF/PVDF nanocomposite films achieved a maximum Ud of 11.1 J/cm3 at an Eb of 458 MV/m, which are 2.15 and 1.40 times those of pristine PVDF, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Polymer and Ceramic Nanocomposites)
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9 pages, 6116 KiB  
Communication
Influence of Absorber Contents and Temperatures on the Dielectric Properties and Microwave Absorbing Performances of C@TiC/SiO2 Composites
by Yan Wang, Xin Sun, Zhihe Xiao, Jian Gu, Qinyi Dong, Shuhang Yi and Junyang Jin
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(24), 2033; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14242033 - 18 Dec 2024
Viewed by 747
Abstract
TiC provides a promising potential for high-temperature microwave absorbers due to its unique combination of thermal stability, high electrical conductivity, and robust structural integrity. C@TiC/SiO2 composites were successfully fabricated using a simple blending and cold-pressing method. The effects of C@TiC’s absorbent content [...] Read more.
TiC provides a promising potential for high-temperature microwave absorbers due to its unique combination of thermal stability, high electrical conductivity, and robust structural integrity. C@TiC/SiO2 composites were successfully fabricated using a simple blending and cold-pressing method. The effects of C@TiC’s absorbent content and temperature on the dielectric and microwave absorption properties of C@TiC/SiO2 composites were investigated. The addition of C@TiC from 10 wt.% to 30 wt.% not only endows the composites with a higher dielectric constant and dielectric loss, but also with a greater high-temperature stability in terms of dielectric and microwave absorption properties. The composite with 30 wt.%C@TiC demonstrates a strong microwave absorption capability with a minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of −55.87 dB, −48.49 dB, and −40.36 dB at room temperature, 50 °C, and 100 °C, respectively; the 50 wt.%C@TiC composite exhibits an enhanced high-temperature microwave absorption performance with an RLmin of −16.13 dB and −15.72 dB at 200 °C and 300 °C, respectively. This study demonstrates that the TiC-based absorbers present an innovative solution for high-temperature microwave absorption, providing stability, versatility, and adaptability in extreme operational environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Polymer and Ceramic Nanocomposites)
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13 pages, 3290 KiB  
Article
Theoretical Analysis of Contact Angle and Contact Angle Hysteresis of Wenzel Drops on Superhydrophobic Surfaces
by Yufeng Li, Junyan Liu, Jialong Dong, Yufeng Du, Jinchun Han and Yuanyuan Niu
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(23), 1978; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14231978 - 9 Dec 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1204
Abstract
Although understanding the wetting behavior of solid surfaces is crucial for numerous engineering applications, the mechanisms driving the motion of Wenzel drops on rough surfaces remain incompletely clarified. In this study, the contact angle and contact angle hysteresis of Wenzel drops on superhydrophobic [...] Read more.
Although understanding the wetting behavior of solid surfaces is crucial for numerous engineering applications, the mechanisms driving the motion of Wenzel drops on rough surfaces remain incompletely clarified. In this study, the contact angle and contact angle hysteresis of Wenzel drops on superhydrophobic surfaces are investigated from a thermodynamic perspective. The free energy of the system is theoretically analyzed, thereby determining the equilibrium contact angle. Based on the sessile drop method, the relationship between the free energy barrier and the drop volume is calculated quantitatively, enabling the determination of advancing and receding contact angles under zero free energy barrier conditions. The theoretical calculations agree well with the experimental data. These findings enhance the understanding of the interfacial interactions between Wenzel drops and superhydrophobic surfaces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Polymer and Ceramic Nanocomposites)
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20 pages, 8068 KiB  
Article
Preparation and Performance Study of Composite Aramid Paper for High-Frequency Working Conditions
by Xiaonan Li, Tong Qin, Wenxu Zhang, Hong Wang, Yanhong Chen, Kangle Li, Qing Wang and Yibo Wang
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(23), 1880; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14231880 - 22 Nov 2024
Viewed by 949
Abstract
When the power converter connects to the high-frequency transformer breaks through the bottleneck and reaches a frequency of 100 kHz or even higher, the high-frequency transformer’s inter-turn insulation faces more serious high-frequency discharge and high-temperature problems. In order to improve the service performance [...] Read more.
When the power converter connects to the high-frequency transformer breaks through the bottleneck and reaches a frequency of 100 kHz or even higher, the high-frequency transformer’s inter-turn insulation faces more serious high-frequency discharge and high-temperature problems. In order to improve the service performance of oil-immersed high-frequency transformer insulation paper, composite K-BNNS particles are prepared by ultrasonic stripping, heat treatment, and thermomagnetic stirring. Then, K-BNNS particles are mixed with PMIA (polymeric m-phenylenediamine solution) slurry to produce composite aramid paper. And the effects of K-BNNS particles with different contents on the thermal conductivity, dielectric properties, partial discharge properties, and mechanical properties of aramid paper are explored. It can be found that, when the addition of composite particles (K-BNNS) is 10%, the comprehensive performance of composite aramid paper is the best. Compared with Nomex paper, the in-plane and through-plane thermal conductivity of composite insulating paper F-10 increased by 668.33% and 760.66%, respectively. Moreover, the high-frequency breakdown voltage increased by 48.73% and the tensile strength increased by 2.49%. The main reason is that the composite particles form a complete thermal conductive network in the aramid paper matrix and a large number of hydrogen bonds with the matrix, which enhances the internal interface bonding force of the material and changes the charge transport mechanism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Polymer and Ceramic Nanocomposites)
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Review

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20 pages, 6154 KiB  
Review
Plasma-Assisted Preparation of Reduced Graphene Oxide and Its Applications in Energy Storage
by Haiying Li, Yufei Han, Pengyu Qiu and Yuzhe Qian
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(23), 1922; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14231922 - 29 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1231
Abstract
Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) exhibits mechanical, optoelectronic, and conductive properties comparable to pristine graphene, which has led to its widespread use as a method for producing graphene-like materials in bulk. This paper reviews the characteristics of graphene oxide and the evolution of traditional [...] Read more.
Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) exhibits mechanical, optoelectronic, and conductive properties comparable to pristine graphene, which has led to its widespread use as a method for producing graphene-like materials in bulk. This paper reviews the characteristics of graphene oxide and the evolution of traditional reduction methods, including chemical and thermal techniques. A comparative analysis reveals that these traditional methods encounter challenges, such as toxicity and high energy consumption, while plasma reduction offers advantages like enhanced controllability, the elimination of additional reducing agents, and reduced costs. However, plasma reduction is complex and significantly influenced by process parameters. This review highlights the latest advancements in plasma technology for reducing graphene oxide, examining its effectiveness across various gas environments. Inert gas plasmas, such as argon (Ar) and helium (He), demonstrate superior reduction efficiency, while mixed gases facilitate simultaneous impurity reduction. Additionally, carbon-based gases can aid in restoring defects in graphene oxide. This paper concludes by discussing the future prospects of plasma-reduced graphene and emphasizes the importance of understanding plasma parameters to manage energy and chemical footprints for effective reduction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Polymer and Ceramic Nanocomposites)
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