Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Nano-Carbon-Reinforced Polymeric Nanocomposites: A Review

Abstract

Carbon nanomaterials are an emerging class of nano-reinforcements to substitute for metal-based nanomaterials in polymer matrices. These metal-free nano-reinforcement materials exhibit a high surface area, thermal stability, and a sustainable nature. Compared to conventional reinforcements, nano-carbon-reinforced polymer composites provide enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. While previous reviews summarized the functionality of nanocomposites, here, we focus on the thermomechanical properties of nano-carbon-reinforced nanocomposites. The role of carbon nanomaterials, including graphene, MXenes, carbon nanotubes, carbon black, carbon quantum dots, fullerene, and metal–organic frameworks, in polymer matrices for the enhancement of thermal and mechanical properties are discussed. Different from metal-based nanomaterials, carbon nanomaterials offer high specific strength, abundance, and sustainability, which are of considerable importance for commercial-scale applications.

State-of-the-art of electrospun nanocomposite nanofibers and membranes with carbon nanoparticles—Prevailing progressions

“…Consequently, enhanced physical performance of the resulting nanocomposites, prepared through facile methods, was observed [27] . The polymer/carbon nanoparticle nanocomposites have been studied mostly for morphological, thermal, electronic, mechanical, and other profiles [28] . Polymer nanofibers are nanostructures with diameter of few nanometers, whereas length up to millimeters [29] .…”

Polymer Composites with Carbon Fillers Based on Coal Pitch and Petroleum Pitch Cokes: Structure, Electrical, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties

“…In the last few years, interest in carbon micro- and nanofillers like carbon black, carbon nanofibers, and nanotubes [ 3 , 12 ], fullerenes [ 24 ], CQD [ 13 ], graphenic structures [ 3 , 14 ], or thermally expanded graphite [ 25 ], rapidly increased. These fillers improve the mechanical properties of carbon–polymer nanocomposites and, importantly, they may cause polymer composites to become electrically or thermally conductive [ 3 , 24 ].…”

“…In the last few years, interest in carbon micro- and nanofillers like carbon black, carbon nanofibers, and nanotubes [ 3 , 12 ], fullerenes [ 24 ], CQD [ 13 ], graphenic structures [ 3 , 14 ], or thermally expanded graphite [ 25 ], rapidly increased. These fillers improve the mechanical properties of carbon–polymer nanocomposites and, importantly, they may cause polymer composites to become electrically or thermally conductive [ 3 , 24 ]. The great interest in conductive carbon micro- and nanofillers is, among others, due to the fact that when the content of their particles in the polymer matrix is above the critical concentration ( φ c —percolation threshold), the resulting composite becomes electrically conductive since a conductive network of filler particles is formed in the volume of the polymer [ 26 ].…”

Reinforcement using undoped carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with a partially carbonized structure doubles the toughness of PVA membranes

“…Carbon nanomaterials include a variety of carbon derivatives with different shapes and sizes, which make them suitable for a broad range of applications. 1 The most recent derivative of carbon materials is carbon quantum dots (CQDs), which serve as cost-effective and sustainable nano-reinforcements for mechanical and functional applications. 2 CQDs consist of an amorphous and crystalline carbon mixture as the core along with a highly functional surface and typically have a size of less than 10 nm.…”