Effect of nanotoxicity and enhancement in performance of polymer composites using nanofillers: A state‐of‐the‐art review

Abstract

Polymer composite materials are consistently being used in various industrial and domestic applications due to their lightweight, high-specific strength, and low cost. In order to enhance various performance of polymer composites, a suitable nanofiller can be used. Polymer composites, which take advantage of natural fibers and nanofillers, synergistically, contribute to improved properties and environmental condition by making them suitable for various applications (aerospace, automobile industries, electronics, biomedical, etc.). The present study gives an insight of nanofiller-based polymer composite and the challenges associated with processing methods. The use of nanofillers in polymer composites to enhance their mechanical properties (tensile, flexural, impact, and tribological) and most importantly the self-healing property due to which they are finding numerous applications. This study also includes the problems associated with excessive use of nanomaterial leading to various environmental and health hazards. The problems and their remedies associated with nano-toxicity have also been addressed.

MoS2‐decorated talc hybrid for improving the tribological property of Nomex/PTFE fabric composites

“…The incorporation of solid nanoparticles filler into the self-lubricating composite to enhance their wear resistance and service life is the effective way and hotspot research work. [15][16][17][18] The hybrid nanoparticles have taken the place of the single nanoparticles fillers in most situations and have been widely used owing to their unique synergistic effect in enhancing the thermal stability, tribological property, and mechanical performance of the polymer matrix composite. [19] As a member of transition metal chalcogenide compound, molybdenum sulfide (MoS 2 ) is used as an excellent solid self-lubricating filler under dry lubrication condition owing to its unique lamellar structure, interlayer sliding, and eminent mechanical flexibility.…”

Acoustic performance of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites: Influencing factors, future scope, challenges, and applications

“…[54][55][56][57][58] They have good mechanical and physical properties and can be used for a variety of applications. [25] Biodegradable, non-abrasive, non-toxic, lightweight, and renewable, natural fibers are an excellent choice. [59,60] Hemp, flax, Luffa, banana, jute, sisal, sugarcane, ramie, betel nut, and other natural fibers that are often used as reinforcement in polymer composites.…”

“…[19][20][21] Natural acoustic materials are considered as a possible alternative to typical synthetic materials as they have lower environmental impact than traditional materials. [22][23][24][25][26][27] Natural materials have great thermal insulation properties, are often light, and are not harmful to human health, in addition to their acoustic qualities. [28][29][30][31][32] The use of natural fiber reinforced polymer composite materials for noise reduction applications has been steadily growing in recent years.…”

Silver/poly(vinyl alcohol)/graphene hydrogels for wound dressing applications: Understanding the mechanism of silver, antibacterial agent release

“…[ 8 ] Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are known to possess excellent antibacterial activity, especially against some bacterial strains that are prone to developing resistance toward conventional antibiotics. [ 9 ] For that reason, AgNPs are often used as an active component in biomaterials and specifically wound dressing hydrogels based on PVA [ 10–21 ] and other polymers [ 22–28 ] that act as both carriers as well as stabilizing agents, [ 29–31 ] preventing agglomeration of AgNPs and subsequent loss of their antibacterial properties. It is always a challenge to produce pure and stable AgNPs in polymer matrices, and there are many possible methods of synthesis, such as chemical reduction or gamma irradiation.…”

“…The potentiostatic electrochemical reduction of Ag + ions to AgNPs is fast, and their properties can be controlled by varying the synthesis parameters (such as swelling time, implementation time, and applied voltage). [ 11–13,34 ] However, silver itself is also known to be toxic to some extent toward live human and animal cells, [ 9,24,35 ] which is the reason why it is imperative to ensure that the produced biomaterial is not cytotoxic, and that it is safe for use.…”