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Carbon Nanomaterial-Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites: Advanced Synthesis, Properties, and Multifunctional Applications

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Dr. Ganapathi Bharathi

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Department of Physics, Gachon University, Seongnam 13120, Republic of Korea
Interests: 2D materials; quantum dots; solution-processed electronics; carbon nanomaterials; polymer composites; optoelectronics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on cutting-edge research in carbon nanomaterial-reinforced polymer nanocomposites, encompassing graphene, carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, carbon quantum dots, and emerging carbon allotropes. We invite contributions covering innovative synthesis methodologies, structure–property relationships, and multifunctional applications spanning electronics, energy storage, sensors, and biomedical devices. Topics include novel processing techniques, interfacial engineering, mechanical reinforcement, electrical/thermal conductivity enhancement, and environmental applications. Both experimental and computational studies are welcome, emphasizing scalable manufacturing approaches and real-world implementation strategies. This collection aims to bridge fundamental materials science with practical engineering solutions, advancing the field toward next-generation polymer nanocomposites with tailored functionalities for emerging technologies.

Dr. Ganapathi Bharathi
Guest Editor

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26 pages, 61419 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Mechanical and Thermal Performance of Graphene- and Silver Nanoparticle-Reinforced PLA Fabricated by FDM 3D Printing

by Filiz Karabudak

Polymers 2026, 18(12), 1494; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18121494 (registering DOI) - 14 Jun 2026

Abstract

The increasing demand for high-performance and multifunctional polymer materials has driven interest in improving the mechanical properties of polymer components produced through additive manufacturing. This study aims to systematically investigate and comparatively evaluate the effects of low-content nanofiller incorporation on the structural, thermal, and mechanical performance of PLA-based materials produced via fused deposition modeling (FDM), with a focus on identifying filler-dependent behavior under different loading conditions. In this study, polylactic acid (PLA) composites reinforced with 0.5 wt.% graphene (Gr) and 0.5 wt.% silver (Ag) nanoparticles, added separately, were produced using fused deposition modeling (FDM) and comparatively investigated. Each nanofiller was incorporated individually into PLA-based filaments, and standard test specimens were fabricated via 3D printing. Structural, thermal, and mechanical properties were evaluated using tensile, compressive, and three-point bending tests, along with SEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR, DSC, and TGA analyses. The results showed that pure PLA exhibited typical brittle behavior and a single-stage thermal degradation profile. The tensile strength of pure PLA was 41.93 MPa, and the flexural strength was 70.76 MPa. The addition of 0.5 wt.% graphene led to noticeable improvements, particularly in flexural properties, while only a minimal (almost negligible) increase was observed in tensile strength, with tensile strength increasing to 42.24 MPa (+0.74%) and flexural strength increasing to 110.78 MPa (+56.6%). In contrast, 0.5 wt.% Ag exhibited mixed and load-dependent mechanical behavior, with slight improvements in flexural strength but reductions in tensile and compressive properties, where tensile strength decreased to 22.13 MPa (−47.2%) while flexural strength increased to 112.06 MPa (+58.3%). Structural and thermal analyses indicated that both nanofillers did not significantly alter the PLA matrix chemically, while contributing to controlled changes in material properties primarily through physical interactions. The novelty of this work lies in the comparative evaluation of graphene and silver nanoparticle reinforcement at a fixed low loading level within FDM-processed PLA, combined with a comprehensive and correlated analysis of mechanical, structural, and thermal behavior on the same specimen sets, enabling a clearer understanding of filler-dependent performance mechanisms in additively manufactured nanocomposites. Overall, it was concluded that low-rate nanofiller additions, when properly dispersed, may lead to selective improvements in the performance of PLA-based composites depending on filler type and loading mode, and show potential for advanced engineering applications such as lightweight structural components, functional sensors, and additive-manufactured parts requiring tailored mechanical performance and multifunctionality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Nanomaterial-Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites: Advanced Synthesis, Properties, and Multifunctional Applications)

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16 pages, 2298 KB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Photothermal Conversion Behaviors in Graphene–Polymer Nanocomposites

by Haiyu Zhang, Runzhe Rao, Yan Feng, Zhou Fang, Xinyan Hu and Fang Li

Polymers 2026, 18(8), 968; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18080968 - 16 Apr 2026

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Abstract

Due to its strong near-infrared (NIR) absorption and high thermal conductivity, graphene is considered an excellent nanophotothermal filler that can effectively improve the photothermal conversion performance of composites. In particular, graphene–polymer nanocomposites, new types of photothermal conversion materials, have broad application prospects in photothermal therapy, photothermal driving, and micro-/nanomachinery. Recent research results have shown that when the filling concentration of graphene nanosheets (GNSs) in the matrix reaches the percolation threshold, interface effects such as interface tunneling and Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars (MWS) polarization, the key factors affecting the photothermal conversion performance of such composites, will occur. Furthermore, graphene exhibits unique optical conductivity due to its strong interaction with light. To reveal how interface effects influence the photothermal conversion performance of these nanocomposites, the optical conductivity of graphene at near-infrared frequencies was introduced to modify the effective medium theory. By combining this with a photothermal conversion model, the photothermal conversion behaviors of GNS–polymer composites are discussed, taking into account the interface effects and optical conductivity characteristics of GNSs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Nanomaterial-Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites: Advanced Synthesis, Properties, and Multifunctional Applications)

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