Our continuing research on the preparation, characterization, materials properties, and biodegradability of polylactide (PLA)/organically modified layered silicate (OMLS) nanocomposites has yielded results on PLA/montmorillonite nanocomposites. Montmorillonite (mmt) modified with dimethyldioctadecylammonium cation was used as an OMLS for nanocomposite preparation. The internal structure of nano...

This paper presents an effective technique to fabricate thermoplastic nanocomposites with high loading of well-dispersed single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). SWNT membranes were made from a multi-step dispersion and filtration method, and then impregnated with polycarbonate solution to make thermoplastic nanocomposites. High loading of nanotubes was achieved by controlling the viscosity of p...

In present investigation, we have prepared a nanocomposites of highly porous MnO2 spongy balls and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in thin film form and tested in novel redox-active electrolyte (K3[Fe(CN)6] doped aqueous Na2SO4) for supercapacitor application. Briefly, MWCNTs were deposited on stainless steel substrate by "dip and dry" method followed by electrodeposition of MnO2 spongy ...

This paper investigates the mechanics of hybrid shape memory polymer polystrene (PS) based nanocomposites with skeletal structures of CNFs/MWCNTs formed inside. Experimental results showed an increase of glass transition temperature (Tg) with CNF/MWCNT concentrations instead of a decrease of Tg in nanocomposites filled by spherical particles, and an increase in mechanical properties on both mac...

This account provides an overview of current research activities that focus on the synthesis and applications of nanomaterials from noble metal (e.g., Au, Ag, Pd) and iron oxide (Fe3O4) hybrids. An introduction to the synthetic strategies that have been developed for generating M-Fe3O4 nanomaterials with different novel structures is presented. Surface functionalization and bioconjugation of th...

Nanocomposites of colloidal quantum dots (QDs) integrated into conjugated polymers (CPs) are key to hybrid optoelectronics, where engineering the excitonic interactions at the nanoscale is crucial. For such excitonic operation, it was believed that exciton diffusion is essential to realize nonradiative energy transfer from CPs to QDs. In this study, contrary to the previous literature, efficien...

In recent years, advanced nanocomposite materials have been widely used in a large number of commercially valuable industrial applications such as in automobile, marine coatings, aerospace, and construction industries. The nanocomposites are made up of organic polymers and inorganic nanomaterials using different processing techniques. For example, metal, metal oxide, and carbon-based nanomateri...

Using inorganic fullerene-like (IF) nanoparticles and inorganic nanotubes (INT) in organic-inorganic hybrid composite, materials provide the potential for improving thermal, mechanical, and tribological properties of conventional composites. The processing of such high-performance hybrid thermoplastic polymer nanocomposites is achieved via melt-blending without the aid of any modifier or compat...

Polyamide 6 (PA6) was melt-blended with an intumescent flame retardant (FR), multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), and nanoclay particles to produce multi-component FR-PA6 nanocomposites. FR-PA6 nanofibers were processed from varied nanocomposite formulations via electrospinning. Electrospinnability, morphology, along with combustion and thermal properties of the nanofibers were investigated. Bo...