Carbon and Cellulose-Based Nanoparticle-Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites: A Critical Review

A review on effect of nanoparticle addition on thermal behavior of natural fiber-reinforced composites

Always, the environment in which humans live needs to be saved from various calamities, and one such calamity is usage of petroleum-based products. Petroleum-based products are derived from various synthetic processes that adversely affect the environment. It may not reflect immediately, but it affects in the near future. They are non-environmentally friendly and cannot progress toward the sustainability factor. The alternative to metallic or synthetic fibers is natural fibers that are derived from plant sources. The demerits of using natural fiber is its less strength; however, this strength can be enhanced by incorporating it as a strengthening component in polymer matrix composite (PMC) materials. Still, the major advantage of using metal is its ability to withstand higher temperatures, whereas PMCs fail in these characteristics. The use of nanoparticles as fillers in the natural fiber-reinforced PMCs is a probable solution to the above problem. This review assesses the thermal characteristics of various nanoparticle-filled natural fiber-based polymer composites. It can be seen from most of the research that the filled polymer composites exhibit better thermal behavior compared with non-filled polymer composites. This consolidation would be useful for researchers to further accelerate their research in this domain.

Nanocarbon-Polymer Composites for Next-Generation Breast Implant Materials

Most breast implants currently used in both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery have a silicone outer shell, which, despite much progress, remains susceptible to mechanical failure, infection, and foreign body response. This study shows that the durability and biocompatibility of breast implant-grade silicone can be enhanced by incorporating carbon nanomaterials of sp2 and sp3 hybridization into the polymer matrix and onto its surface. Plasma treatment of the implant surface can be used to modify platelet adhesion and activation to prevent thrombosis, postoperative infection, and inflammation disorders. The addition of 0.8% graphene flakes resulted in an increase in mechanical strength by 64% and rupture strength by around 77% when compared to pure silicone, whereas when nanodiamond (ND) was used as the additive, the mechanical strength was increased by 19.4% and rupture strength by 37.5%. Composites with a partially embedded surface layer of either graphene or ND showed superior antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility compared to pure silicone. All composite materials were able to sustain the attachment and growth of human dermal fibroblast, with the preferred growth noted on ND-coated surfaces when compared to graphene-coated surfaces. Exposure of these materials to hydrogen plasma for 5, 10, and 20 s led to substantially reduced platelet attachment on the surfaces. Hydrogen-treated pure silicone showed a decrease in platelet attachment for samples treated for 5-20 s, whereas silicone composite showed an almost threefold decrease in platelet attachment for the same plasma treatment times. The absence of platelet activation on the surface of composite materials suggests a significant improvement in hemocompatibility of the material.

Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Composite Material with a Thermoplastic Matrix Reinforced with Cellulose Acetate Microfibers

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) has been widely used in various applications due to its flexibility, lightness, and low production cost. However, its massive use in disposable products has raised environmental concerns, prompting the search for more sustainable alternatives. This study aims to investigate the mechanical properties achievable in a composite material utilizing low-density polyethylene (LDPE), potato starch (PS), and cellulose microfibrils (MFCA) at loadings of 0.05%, 0.15%, and 0.30%. Initially, the cellulose acetate microfibrils (MFCA) were produced via an electrospinning process. Subsequently, a dispersive mixture of the aforementioned materials was created through the extrusion and pelletizing process to form pellets. These pellets were then molded by injection molding to produce test specimens in accordance with ASTM D 638, the standard for tensile strength testing. The evaluation of the properties was conducted through mechanical tensile tests (ASTM D638), hardness tests (ASTM D 2240), melt flow index (ASTM D1238), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This study determined the influence of cellulose acetate microfibril loadings below 0.3% as reinforcement within a thermoplastic LDPE matrix. It was demonstrated that these microfibrils, due to their length-to-diameter ratio, contribute to an enhancement in the mechanical properties.

Nanotechnology-enhanced fiber-reinforced polymer composites: Recent advancements on processing techniques and applications

Incorporating nanoparticles can significantly improve the performance and functionality of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. Different techniques exist for processing, testing, and implementing nanocomposites in various industries. Depending on these factors, these materials can be tailored to suit the specific applications of the automotive and aerospace industries, defence industries, biomedical and energy sectors etc. Nanotechnology offers several potential benefits for composites, including improved mechanical properties, surface modification, and sensing capabilities. This paper discusses the different types of nanoparticles, nanofibers, and nano-coating that can be used for reinforcement, surface modification, and property enhancement in FRP composites. It also examines the challenges associated with incorporating nanotechnology into composites and provides recommendations for potential opportunities in future work. This study is intended to offer a comprehensive understanding of the current research on using nanotechnology in FRP composites and its potential impact on the composites industry.

Eco-Design of Polymer Matrix Composite Parts: A Review

This research presents a series of analyses related to the eco-design of polymer matrix composite parts, addressing various aspects of it. The main objective was to clarify the definition of ecological design, the benefits of its implementation and its importance in all stages of obtaining a product (design, manufacturing, recycling). Global environmental issues are presented, emphasizing the importance of adopting sustainable approaches in product design and manufacturing. Special attention is paid to the analysis of waste recycling technologies for polymer matrix composite materials. The analysis carried out identifies specific ecological design principles applicable to these materials and presents recent trends in the field. Relevant case studies are highlighted, demonstrating the benefits of ecological design in order to obtain sustainable products. Additionally, the conducted research allowed for finding answers to the questions "what", "why", "when" and "how" it is necessary to apply the principles of eco-design in the case of composite materials with a polymer matrix. In general, the research promotes eco-design as an indispensable strategy for sustainable and responsible production, inspiring companies to adopt these principles for the benefit of the environment and their business performance.

Nanomaterials-based biosensor and their applications: A review

A sensor can be called ideal or perfect if it is enriched with certain characteristics viz., superior detections range, high sensitivity, selectivity, resolution, reproducibility, repeatability, and response time with good flow. Recently, biosensors made of nanoparticles (NPs) have gained very high popularity due to their excellent applications in nearly all the fields of science and technology. The use of NPs in the biosensor is usually done to fill the gap between the converter and the bioreceptor, which is at the nanoscale. Simultaneously the uses of NPs and electrochemical techniques have led to the emergence of biosensors with high sensitivity and decomposition power. This review summarizes the development of biosensors made of NPssuch as noble metal NPs and metal oxide NPs, nanowires (NWs), nanorods (NRs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), quantum dots (QDs), and dendrimers and their recent advancement in biosensing technology with the expansion of nanotechnology.