Nanocomposites represent a groundbreaking development in material science, leveraging the unique properties of nanoscale reinforcements to revolutionize the performance of traditional composite materials. By integrating nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, nanoclays, and metal nanoparticles into a polymer, ceramic, or metal matrix, nanocomposites exhibit significantly enhanced mechanical properties, including improved strength, toughness, and durability. These improvements arise from superior interfacial interactions, efficient load transfer mechanisms, and increased resistance to mechanical degradation at the nanoscale. The performance enhancements of nanocomposites are driven by fundamental mechanisms, such as the homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles, robust interfacial bonding between the matrix and reinforcements, and hierarchical structuring that allows for optimized stress distribution. Effective dispersion ensures uniform mechanical performance, while strong interfacial bonding minimizes failure points and enhances energy dissipation under stress. Hierarchical structuring further amplifies these benefits, creating materials with tailored properties that meet diverse engineering requirements. Nanocomposites find applications across a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, biomedical, and structural engineering, where their lightweight, high-strength, and multi-functional properties are highly valued. For example, they are used in manufacturing lightweight aircraft components, durable automotive parts, and advanced prosthetics. Future research aims to refine fabrication techniques, scale production, and develop nanocomposite architectures tailored for specific industrial applications, thereby unlocking the full potential of these advanced materials.

Keywords: Nanocomposites, nanomaterials, nanoengineering, carbon nanotubes

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Mishnaevsky Jr L, Hasager CB, Bak C, Tilg AM, Bech JI, Rad SD, et al. Leading edge erosion of wind turbine blades: Understanding, prevention and protection. Renewable Energy. 2021 May 1;169:953–69.
2. Karger-Kocsis J, Mahmood H, Pegoretti A. All-carbon multi-scale and hierarchical fibers and related structural composites: A review. Composites Science and Technology. 2020 Jan 20;186:107932.
3. Lau D, Jian W, Yu Z, Hui D. Nano-engineering of construction materials using molecular dynamics simulations: Prospects and challenges. Composites Part B: Engineering. 2018 Jun 15;143:282–91.
4. Ioniţă M, Vlăsceanu GM, Watzlawek AA, Voicu SI, Burns JS, Iovu H. Graphene and functionalized graphene: Extraordinary prospects for nanobiocomposite materials. Composites Part B: Engineering. 2017 Jul 15;121:34–57.
5. Serra EC, Soares VF, Fernandez DA, Hübler R, Juste KR, Lima CL, et al. Influence of WS2 content on high temperature wear performance of magnetron sputtered TiN-WSx thin films. Ceramics International. 2019 Nov 1;45(16):19918–24.
6. Kini AU, Shettar M, Gowrishankar MC, Sharma S. A technical review on epoxy-nanoclay nanocomposites: Mechanical, hygrothermal and wear properties. Cogent Engineering. 2023 Dec 29;10(2):2257949.
7. Adeboye SA, Adebowale AD, Siyanbola TO, Ajanaku KO. Coatings and the environment: A review of problems, progress and prospects. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. IOP Publishing. 2023 Jun 1;1197(1):012012.
8. Beelagi DU, Horti NC, Kamatagi MD. Photoluminescence properties of polythiophene/tin oxide (PTh/SnO2) polymer nanocomposites. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series. IOP Publishing. 2023 Oct 1;2603(1):012001.
9. Al‐Muntaser AA, Pashameah RA, Sharma K, Alzahrani E, Tarabiah AE. Reinforcement of structural, optical, electrical, and dielectric characteristics of CMC/PVA based on GNP/ZnO hybrid nanofiller: nanocomposites materials for energy‐storage applications. Int J Energy Res. 2022 Dec;46(15):23984–95.
10. Sun J, Yan G, Abed AM, Sharma A, Gangadevi R, Eldin SM, et al. Evaluation and optimization of a new energy cycle based on geothermal wells, liquefied natural gas and solar thermal energy. Process Safety and Environmental Protection. 2022 Dec 1;168:544–57.
11. Gürses A, Güneş K. Preparation of polyethylene clay composites via melt intercalation using hydrophobic and superhydrophobic organoclays and comparison of their textural, mechanical and thermal properties. Polymers. 2024 Jan 19;16(2):272.
12. Hadiyeva AA, Mammadova SR, Mahmudzade LR. Influence of electric field on the thermal properties of PP+ NC nanocomposites for environmental chemistry application. In IOP conference series: Earth and environmental science. IOP Publishing. 2023 Aug 1;1236(1):012005.
13. Irshad HM, Hakeem AS, Raza K, Baroud TN, Ehsan MA, Ali S, et al. Design, development and evaluation of thermal properties of polysulphone–cnt/gnp nanocomposites. Nanomaterials. 2021 Aug 16;11(8):2080.
14. Joshi PB, Chaubal-Durve N, Mohan C. Full blown green metrics. In Green chemistry approaches to environmental sustainability. Elsevier. 2024 Jan 1:109–129.

Nanocomposites represent a groundbreaking development in material science, leveraging the unique properties of nanoscale reinforcements to revolutionize the performance of traditional composite materials. By integrating nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, nanoclays, and metal nanoparticles into a polymer, ceramic, or metal matrix, nanocomposites exhibit significantly enhanced mechanical properties, including improved strength, toughness, and durability. These improvements arise from superior interfacial interactions, efficient load transfer mechanisms, and increased resistance to mechanical degradation at the nanoscale. The performance enhancements of nanocomposites are driven by fundamental mechanisms, such as the homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles, robust interfacial bonding between the matrix and reinforcements, and hierarchical structuring that allows for optimized stress distribution. Effective dispersion ensures uniform mechanical performance, while strong interfacial bonding minimizes failure points and enhances energy dissipation under stress. Hierarchical structuring further amplifies these benefits, creating materials with tailored properties that meet diverse engineering requirements. Nanocomposites find applications across a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, biomedical, and structural engineering, where their lightweight, high-strength, and multi-functional properties are highly valued. For example, they are used in manufacturing lightweight aircraft components, durable automotive parts, and advanced prosthetics. Future research aims to refine fabrication techniques, scale production, and develop nanocomposite architectures tailored for specific industrial applications, thereby unlocking the full potential of these advanced materials.

Keywords: Nanocomposites, nanomaterials, nanoengineering, carbon nanotubes

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Mishnaevsky Jr L, Hasager CB, Bak C, Tilg AM, Bech JI, Rad SD, et al. Leading edge erosion of wind turbine blades: Understanding, prevention and protection. Renewable Energy. 2021 May 1;169:953–69.
2. Karger-Kocsis J, Mahmood H, Pegoretti A. All-carbon multi-scale and hierarchical fibers and related structural composites: A review. Composites Science and Technology. 2020 Jan 20;186:107932.
3. Lau D, Jian W, Yu Z, Hui D. Nano-engineering of construction materials using molecular dynamics simulations: Prospects and challenges. Composites Part B: Engineering. 2018 Jun 15;143:282–91.
4. Ioniţă M, Vlăsceanu GM, Watzlawek AA, Voicu SI, Burns JS, Iovu H. Graphene and functionalized graphene: Extraordinary prospects for nanobiocomposite materials. Composites Part B: Engineering. 2017 Jul 15;121:34–57.
5. Serra EC, Soares VF, Fernandez DA, Hübler R, Juste KR, Lima CL, et al. Influence of WS2 content on high temperature wear performance of magnetron sputtered TiN-WSx thin films. Ceramics International. 2019 Nov 1;45(16):19918–24.
6. Kini AU, Shettar M, Gowrishankar MC, Sharma S. A technical review on epoxy-nanoclay nanocomposites: Mechanical, hygrothermal and wear properties. Cogent Engineering. 2023 Dec 29;10(2):2257949.
7. Adeboye SA, Adebowale AD, Siyanbola TO, Ajanaku KO. Coatings and the environment: A review of problems, progress and prospects. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. IOP Publishing. 2023 Jun 1;1197(1):012012.
8. Beelagi DU, Horti NC, Kamatagi MD. Photoluminescence properties of polythiophene/tin oxide (PTh/SnO2) polymer nanocomposites. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series. IOP Publishing. 2023 Oct 1;2603(1):012001.
9. Al‐Muntaser AA, Pashameah RA, Sharma K, Alzahrani E, Tarabiah AE. Reinforcement of structural, optical, electrical, and dielectric characteristics of CMC/PVA based on GNP/ZnO hybrid nanofiller: nanocomposites materials for energy‐storage applications. Int J Energy Res. 2022 Dec;46(15):23984–95.
10. Sun J, Yan G, Abed AM, Sharma A, Gangadevi R, Eldin SM, et al. Evaluation and optimization of a new energy cycle based on geothermal wells, liquefied natural gas and solar thermal energy. Process Safety and Environmental Protection. 2022 Dec 1;168:544–57.
11. Gürses A, Güneş K. Preparation of polyethylene clay composites via melt intercalation using hydrophobic and superhydrophobic organoclays and comparison of their textural, mechanical and thermal properties. Polymers. 2024 Jan 19;16(2):272.
12. Hadiyeva AA, Mammadova SR, Mahmudzade LR. Influence of electric field on the thermal properties of PP+ NC nanocomposites for environmental chemistry application. In IOP conference series: Earth and environmental science. IOP Publishing. 2023 Aug 1;1236(1):012005.
13. Irshad HM, Hakeem AS, Raza K, Baroud TN, Ehsan MA, Ali S, et al. Design, development and evaluation of thermal properties of polysulphone–cnt/gnp nanocomposites. Nanomaterials. 2021 Aug 16;11(8):2080.
14. Joshi PB, Chaubal-Durve N, Mohan C. Full blown green metrics. In Green chemistry approaches to environmental sustainability. Elsevier. 2024 Jan 1:109–129.