Page 39 - Polymer-based Nanocomposites for Energy and Environmental Applications

18 Polymer-based Nanocomposites for Energy and Environmental Applications

also completely sustainable in energy way and degradable. Therefore, at the end of
their life cycle, these materials can be disposed with no harms to the
environment [130].
Biodegradability as an important factor for green PNCs depends on conditions of
biodegradability, biocompatibility, and dispose of low-toxicity degradation materials
[131]. In this field, biodegradable polymers are introduced as the materials that alter
microbial induced to the mineralization. Sometimes, specific requirements such as
humidity, pH, oxygenation, and metals should be provided to acquire the biodegrada-
tion of polymers [132]. Othman [133] represented different types of biopolymer and
nanosized filler applied to fabricate bionanocomposite materials.
Also, degradable polymers from natural materials (e.g., starch, lignin, cellulose
acetate, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), and poly-
hydroxybutyrate (PHB)) and some synthetic sources (aliphatic and aromatic polyes-
ters, polyvinyl alcohol, and modified polyolefins) are introduced as biopolymers
[130]. Koh et al. [134] prepared biodegradable polymer/layered silicate
nanocomposite membranes by solution casting method for the application of dehu-
midification and gas separation. Also, as a biodegradable multifunctional material,
hybrid graphene’silver particles were produced to reinforce poly(ε-caprolactone)
(PCL) [135]. In a study [136], the magnetic biopolymer nanocomposites were pro-
duced via the reaction of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles containing carboxymethyl cellulose
with polyvinyl alcohol. In this study, the conductivity of the magnetic nanocomposites
was increased by adding conducting materials such as multiwall carbon tubes
(MWCNTs) and polyaniline (PANI).

1.9 Summary

Among the development of PNCs, several factors must be considered due to the com-
plex interfacial regions between the nanoparticles and polymer matrices. In these sys-
tems, achieving the large interfacial areas among the PNCs is regarded as a main
matter. In addition, the final properties of PNCs such as mechanical, thermal, optical,
and electric are in close relation with the intercalation process among the
nanoparticles and polymer. Thanks to various methods including surface treatment,
predicting models, and theories, the desirable characteristics of PNCs are controlled.
Therefore, PNCs are nominated as a range of materials that can bring different types of
characteristics due to their processing techniques.

References

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nanocomposites. Production, composition, properties and application fields. CHEMIK
2014;68(4):280–7.
[3] Akca E, Gursel A. A review on the matrix toughness of thermoplastic materials. Period
Eng Nat Sci 2015;3(2):2303–4521.