Progress in Polymer Nanocomposites: Structure, Interface Design, and Functional Performance
Main Article Content
Rashika Singh*
Usha Shukla
Polymer nanocomposites represent an advanced class of multifunctional materials in which nanoscale fillers are incorporated into polymer matrices to achieve significant improvements in mechanical, thermal, electrical, and barrier properties at relatively low filler concentrations. The incorporation of nanofillers generates extensive interfacial regions that strongly influence polymer chain mobility, crystallization behaviour, and stress-transfer mechanisms. This review highlights recent developments in polymer nanocomposites with emphasis on nanoscale structural characteristics, interface engineering strategies, and their influence on functional performance. Particular attention is given to the role of filler geometry, dispersion quality, and interfacial compatibility in governing tensile strength, thermal stability, flame retardancy, gas barrier efficiency, and electrical conductivity. Recent studies demonstrate that optimized nanofiller dispersion and surface functionalization significantly enhance material performance while preserving lightweight characteristics and processing efficiency. The review also discusses recent advances in sustainable nanocomposites, multifunctional materials, and industrial-scale processing techniques for applications in automotive, packaging, biomedical, and electronic sectors. Furthermore, current challenges associated with large-scale production, cost effectiveness, and recyclability are briefly addressed. Overall, this work establishes important relationships between nanoscale architecture and macroscopic behaviour, providing valuable insights for the future development of high-performance polymer nanocomposites for advanced industrial and functional applications.
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