Organic Functionalized Carbon Nanostructures for Functional Polymer-Based Nanocomposites

Abstract

Carbon nanostructures (CNSs), which are made up of extended sp²-hybridized carbon networks, are largely employed as nanofillers for polymer phases to obtain polymer-based nanocomposites (PNCs). Following their inclusion, the polymer matrices are often improved in many ways, such as enhanced electrical and thermal conductivity, increased stability, and mechanical robustness. The chemical functionalization of the external CNS surfaces with organic substituents is often a key tool for their effective and homogeneous incorporation within a polymer phase, avoiding the formation of aggregates, which can lower the performance of the the final material. This microreview furnishes an overview of PNCs that contain substituted CNSs with organic functionalities. These CNS-based PNCs can be used as organic functional materials in different applications that range from clean energy harvesting and storage to sensing and biomedicine.

Polymer composite materials based on nanosized fillers can be designed to perform specific and complex functions by controlling the physical and chemical interactions between the phases. Strategies for the organic functionalization of carbon nanostructures to improve their dispersion within polymer matrices and enhance the properties of the resulting nanocomposites are presented.

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