Fabrication and Applications of Polymer Nanocomposite Materials

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 13 March 2026 | Viewed by 1229

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
CAS Key Laboratory of High-Performance Synthetic Rubber and its Composite Materials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, China
Interests: polymer flexible multilayer composite materials, including surface modification of high specific strength fibers, preparation of functional films, interlayer interface research, and development of special adhesives

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Guest Editor
School of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Chuzhou University, 1528 Fengle Avenue, Chuzhou 239099, China
Interests: surface modification of high-performance fibers; research on colloidal nanoparticles; flexible composite materials; epoxy resin based composite materials

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Guest Editor
Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Olefin Catalysis and Polymerization, Key Laboratory of Rubber-Plastics, Ministry of Education/Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Rubber-Plastics, School of Polymer Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
Interests: structure and performance research of functional nanocomposite materials and their processing applications

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer nanocomposite materials represent a cutting-edge class of composites that integrate the unique properties of nanoscale fillers within a polymer matrix, leading to a significant enhancement in performance and functionality, which could be used in the aerospace, automotive, electronic, packaging, and biomedical industries. These advanced materials combine the processability of polymers with the exceptional properties of nanomaterials, such as their high strength, improved thermal and electrical conductivity, and enhanced barrier qualities. The fabrication of polymer nanocomposite materials involves the dispersion of nanoscale particles, such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, clay, or metal nanoparticles, within a polymer matrix. This process can be achieved through various techniques, including in situ polymerization, melt mixing, and solution casting. The key challenge in fabrication is ensuring uniform dispersion and strong interfacial adhesion between the filler and the matrix, which are crucial for achieving the desired improvements in material properties.

The topic of “Fabrication and Applications of Polymer Nanocomposite Materials” is thus of great interest due to its potential to revolutionize numerous industries by providing materials with tailored properties and functionalities that meet the demands of modern technology and sustainability. Research in this area focuses on developing new fabrication techniques, understanding the relationship between nanostructure and macroscopic properties, and exploring novel applications that leverage the unique properties of these materials.

Dr. Xiangdong Liu
Dr. Yuxi Liu
Dr. Xinping Zhang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nanoscale filler
  • fabrication techniques
  • microstructure and properties
  • interfacial modification
  • polymer composites

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

28 pages, 10014 KB  
Article
Nanomaterial Functionalized Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Composites with Energy Storage Capabilities
by Venkatesh Gangipamula, Karamat Subhani, Peter J. Mahon and Nisa Salim
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(17), 1325; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15171325 - 28 Aug 2025
Viewed by 426
Abstract
We have demonstrated the fabrication of laminate composites with functional features to demonstrate energy storage capabilities. The present study investigates the surface modification of carbon fibers by coating dual materials of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and cellulose-based activated carbon to enhance their energy [...] Read more.
We have demonstrated the fabrication of laminate composites with functional features to demonstrate energy storage capabilities. The present study investigates the surface modification of carbon fibers by coating dual materials of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and cellulose-based activated carbon to enhance their energy storage capacitance for the development of structural supercapacitors. The dual coating on carbon fibers enabled a near 210-fold improvement in surface area, surpassing that of pristine carbon fibers. This formed a highly porous graphene network with activated carbon, resulting in a well-connected fiber–graphene-activated carbon network on carbon fibers. The electrochemical supercapacitor, fabricated from surface-functionalized carbon fibers, provides the best performance, with a specific capacitance of 172 F g−1 in an aqueous electrolyte. Furthermore, the symmetrical structural supercapacitor (SSSC) device delivered a specific capacitance of 227 mF g−1 across a wide potential window of 6 V. The electrochemical stability of the SSSC device was validated by a high capacitance retention of 97.3% over 10,000 cycles. Additionally, the study showcased the practical application of this technology by successfully illuminating an LED using the proof-of-concept SSSC device with G-aC/CF electrodes. Overall, the findings of this study highlight the potential of carbon fiber composites as a promising hybrid material, offering both structural integrity and a functional performance suitable for aerospace and automobile applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fabrication and Applications of Polymer Nanocomposite Materials)
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19 pages, 4760 KB  
Article
Hyaluronic Acid Ultra-Porous Scaffolds Reinforced with Low Quantities of Graphene Oxide: Influence on the Delivery of Curcumin and Bacterial Inhibition
by Sandra Fuster-Gómez and Alberto J. Campillo-Fernández
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(10), 735; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15100735 - 14 May 2025
Viewed by 425
Abstract
In this study, the influence of (i) the degree of crosslinking and (ii) incorporating small amounts of graphene oxide—up to 0.2% by mass—into the matrix of ultra-porous hyaluronic acid scaffolds was analyzed in relation to their physicochemical and mechanical properties. Also studied was [...] Read more.
In this study, the influence of (i) the degree of crosslinking and (ii) incorporating small amounts of graphene oxide—up to 0.2% by mass—into the matrix of ultra-porous hyaluronic acid scaffolds was analyzed in relation to their physicochemical and mechanical properties. Also studied was the effect of incorporating graphene oxide on the release profile of curcumin, a hydrophobic molecule of interest in tissue engineering, plus the potential antibacterial activity of graphene oxide against Escherichia coli, E.coli. This paper describes the development of a hybrid ultra-porous material composed of crosslinked hyaluronic acid and graphene oxide, representing a significant advance in the field of nanomedicine. The resulting material enables dual control over the release kinetics of curcumin, a compound with high pharmacological potential and neuroprotective properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fabrication and Applications of Polymer Nanocomposite Materials)
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