The promising future of polymer nanocomposites

Polymer nanocomposites are a new class of reinforced - hybrid material which are formed by the dispersion of nanoscale clay particles throughout a polymer matrix[1]. Nanocomposites consist of an organic polymer matrix imbedded with inorganic particles which have at least one of the dimensions in the nano range[2l. The particles may be spheri~ cal (metallic or ceramic), fibrillar (carbon nanotube) or lamellar. The polymer nanocomposites combine the concept of both composites and nanomaterials. Though nanocomposites can include porous media, colloids, gels and copolymers, mainly it is considered to mean the solid combination of nano-dimensional phases differing in properties due to dissimilarities in structure and chemistry[3l. There is the presence of nanocomposites in nature such as in the struct::ure of the abalone shell, nacre, tooth, and bone.