Nanocomposites for Space Applications

A review on the advances achieved in the last 25 years in the development of hybrid nanocomposites based on polymer matrix for aerospace applications is presented here. The chapter analyzes the state-of-the-art strategies used in the design of materials that support the different conditions of the space environment. These materials are aimed primarily at structural applications, electromagnetic interference shielding, self-sensing, and self-healing, although they are not restricted to these applications. The introduction of metallic, ceramic, carbon-based nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes and graphene, as well as two-dimensional materials have been used with a successful impact. Despite the significant advances that have been reached, much work must be done to achieve complete reliability for all properties required to protect the systems against the hazardous conditions found in space. Therefore, futuristic visions of the actions that must be carried out are raised in this chapter.

Preparation and Application of Polymer-Metal Oxide Nanocomposites in Wastewater Treatment

The search for efficient and sustainable wastewater treatment technologies is a subject of continuing research. This is due to the emergence of new classes of water contaminants that are recalcitrant to the conventional wastewater treatment technologies and the stringent allowable limits for contaminant levels set by environmental management authorities. The chapter discusses the developments in synthesis methods and application of polymer-metal oxides as emerging facile materials for wastewater treatment. The varying uses of polymer-metal oxides for different processes in water treatment under varying operational conditions and their performance for different pollutants are critically analyzed. Their strengths and inherent limitations are also highlighted. The chapter demonstrates that polymer-metal oxides are facile low-cost and efficient materials and can be integrated in wastewater and drinking water treatment systems.

Diverse Applications of Graphene-Based Polymer Nanocomposites

Polymer nanocomposites are unique materials reinforced with nanoscale additives. Among a variety of nanomaterials available to act as filler additives in different polymer matrices, graphene is the most versatile one. Graphene-based polymer nanocomposites have improved electrical, mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties, which make them suitable for applications in the electronics, energy, sensor, and space sectors. Graphene, the nanosized filler, can be prepared using either a top-down or a bottom-up approach and dispersed in the polymer matrix utilizing different conventional techniques. The nanocomposite materials find usage in suitable area of applications depending on their specific characteristics. This chapter discusses the current state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques for graphene and graphene-based nanocomposite materials. Application of graphene-based polymer nanocomposites in the various fields with an emphasis on the areas high heat flux applications requiring enhanced thermal conductivity will be an additional major focus of this chapter.

Mechanical Behaviour of Carbon Nanotubes

Mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are very interesting for the nanocomposite field. The possibility to use these nanomaterials as fibers in polymeric matrix is one of the most important applications of the last years. This study recognised the mechanical properties of CNTs and the obtained composites with polymeric matrix. The second part of chapter presents a short characterisation of an epoxy-CNTs-based composite. This study verified the hypothesis made concerning a different tensile strength of these materials as a function of presence of structure defects.

Recent Developments of Epoxy Nanocomposites Used for Aerospace and Automotive Application

Epoxy resins are widely utilized engineering thermosetting polymers for industrial applications such as aerospace and automotive fields due to their higher mechanical, thermal, and chemical resistance. Recently, polymer nanocomposites have attracted huge attention both in academics and industry because they demonstrated the tremendous enhancement in material properties compared with a neat polymer or traditional micro and macro composites. Traditional composites generally require a high content (˃10%) of the inorganic fillers to bestow the desired mechanical properties. Higher filler content raises the density of the new product, thereby reducing the properties through fragile interfacial interaction among filler and the organic matrix. Furthermore, enhancing filler content makes processability very complicated. However, nanocomposites exhibit improved thermomechanical properties even with a small amount of nanoparticles (≤5%). The chapter provides information about the application of polymer nanocomposites (i.e., aerospace and automotive industries).

Recent Advancements in Photocatalytic Nanocomposites

Photocatalysts utilize light energy or photons to catalyze a reaction. The most significant characteristics of a photocatalyst lies in its ability to simultaneously oxidize a donor molecule and reduce an acceptor through the electron-hole pair generated upon excitation. With the emergence of nanotechnology, the utilization of nanomaterials for their photocatalytic properties has gained a new pace. TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles are exploited widely for their photocatalytic properties. The recent trends concentrate on devising composite nanostructures that utilize both the properties of the photocatalyst and supporting materials such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, or noble metal nanoparticles to enhance the photocatalytic properties of the semiconductor metal oxide. The main areas of application of such structures lie in the field of water purification and energy harvesting. This chapter outlines an overview of the photocatalytic process and the existing technologies followed by the application areas and the recent advancements lying in that area.

Nanocomposites in the Food Packaging Industry

The recent innovations in nanomaterials for the food packaging industry over the conventional food packaging material have made for a better quality of food product. The use of biodegradable materials is environmentally friendly and suitable for maintaining the quality of food. The chapter focuses on nano-composite materials that enhance the antimicrobial, mechanical, thermal, as well as barrier properties against the migrating element in the food packaging system. Bio-composite derivatives such as PLA, PCL, starch and cellulose, protein derivatives of nanocomposite materials have also been discussed in the chapter along with nano-sensors. Aspects of safety for human and environments and need for regulations of hazard assessment for safety purpose for the food packaging have also been discussed in this chapter. The chapter concludes by discussing the use of nanomaterials applications in food packaging for developing countries, forming some conclusions and leaving readers with thoughts for future research directions.

Numerical Study of Nanocomposites for Energy Applications

Nanocomposites are defined as a combination of nanoparticles reinforced into the base material. They are of very small sizes (1nm = 10-9m) and possesses higher thermal properties. They are widely utilized in different applications, like in energy, construction, biomedical, chemical, electronics, agriculture, cosmetics, etc. This chapter deals with the application of nanocomposites (SiC/Al2O3/B4C/TiO2/ZnO/SiO2) in the field of energy applications by analyzing their properties (thermal-conductivity/density/specific-heat) using numerical models. The effect of nanoparticles reinforced wt. % concentration into a base material (Al6061/Al7075/H2O) is also analyzed. Results show that nanocomposites have higher effective thermal conductivity and are suitable for high heat-releasing energy devices. It is found that the addition of nanoparticles increases the surface area to volume ratio, which further increases the energy transfer rate. Results show that nanocomposites with lower effective density are suitable when there is a requirement of reduction in weight for the same heat release application.