About Book

A nanocomposite is a matrix to which nanoparticles have been added to improve a particular property of the material. It is a multiphase solid material where one of the phases has one, two or three dimensions of less than 100 nanometers, (nm), or structures having nano-scale repeat distance between the different phases that make up the material. It is a high-performance material exhibit unusual property combinations and unique design possibilities. Nanocomposite Technology designs functional composites with particles that tune optical, mechanical, electronic, protective, and barrier properties. It develops new, active composites that react to the external stimuli or damage – i.e. to scratches or to the onset of corrosion – or can change their properties when required. In cooperation with industrial users, the research field evaluates and adapts new composites and transfers them to the market. This book attempts to understand the multiple branches that fall under the discipline of nanocomposites and how such concepts have practical applications. It discusses applications of organic-inorganic nanocomposites, metallic nanocomposites, supercapacitors, cathode material, nanocomposite coatings, polymer nanocomposites and carbon nanocomposites. Being environmentally friendly, applications of nanocomposites offer new technology and business opportunities for several sectors of the aerospace, automotive, electronics and biotechnology industries. Most of the topics introduced in this book cover new techniques and the applications of nanocomposites. Different approaches, evaluations and methodologies and advanced studies have been included in it. This book is meant for who are looking for a detailed explanation of the technologies related to nanocomposites.

Preface............................................................................................................v

Chapter 1 Carbon Nanocomposites: Preparation and Its Application in Catalytic Organic Transformations.........................................................1

Abstract...................................................................................................1

1. Introduction............................................................................................2

2. Preparation and characterization of carbon nanocomposites......2

3. Carbon nanocomposites catalyzed organic reactions..................10

4. Conclusion............................................................................................25

Chapter 2 A Review of Polypropylene and Polypropylene/Inorganic Nanocomposites for HVDC Cable Insulation...................................34

Abstract.................................................................................................34

1. Introduction..........................................................................................35

2. Polypropylene and its feasibility study for insulation materials

of high-voltage DC cables.................................................................36

3. Research status of polypropylene-based nanocomposites for

HVDC cable insulation materials....................................................39

4. Conclusions..........................................................................................50

Chapter 3 Applications of Carbon Nanotubes and Their Polymer Nanocomposites for Gas Sensors.........................................................56

Abstract ................................................................................................56

1. Gas sensors; review............................................................................57

2. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs).................................................................60

3. CNTs/polymer nanocomposites........................................................78

4. Conclusion............................................................................................89

Chapter 4 A review of Corrosion Resistance Nanocomposite Coatings........97

Abstract ................................................................................................97

1. Introduction..........................................................................................98

2. Electrochemical codeposition of MMC coatings.........................101

3. Functional composite coatings with improved mechanical

properties............................................................................................120

4. Functional composite coatings with improved anticorrosive

properties............................................................................................122

5. Conclusions........................................................................................135

Chapter 5 Bifunctional Polymer-Metal Nanocomposite Ion Exchange

Materials ..................................................................................................145

1. Introduction........................................................................................145

2. Inter-Matrix synthesis in ion exchange matrices........................152

3. Environmental and safety concerns..............................................166

4. Characterization of Polymer-Stabilized Nanoparticles

(PSMNPs)............................................................................................169

5. Applications.......................................................................................175

6. Conclusions........................................................................................181

Chapter 6 C/Li2MnSiO4 Nanocomposite Cathode Material for Li-Ion

Batteries.....................................................................................................192

1. Introduction........................................................................................192

2. Li-ion battery technology ...............................................................193

3. Orthosilicates Li2MSiO4 – New high capacity cathode

materials ............................................................................................195

4. Li2MnSiO4 nanostructured cathode material ..............................196

5. C/Li2MnSiO4 composite cathode material ...................................203

6. Conclusions .......................................................................................211

Acknowledgement ...........................................................................211

Chapter 7 Application of Nanocomposites for Supercapacitors: Characteristics

and Properties..........................................................................................215

1. Introduction........................................................................................215

2. Fabrication and characterization of nanocomposite active

electrode materials............................................................................217

3. Performance of various types of nanocomposite active electrode

materials..............................................................................................220

4. Conclusion and future directions..................................................246

Acknowledgements...........................................................................247

Chapter 8 Anisotropic Second- and Third-Order Nonlinear Optical Response

from Anisotropy-Controlled Metallic Nanocomposites................252

1. Introduction........................................................................................252

2. Nonlinear optical response of metallic nanoparticles................253

3. Third-order nonlinear optical response from isotropic metallic

nanocomposites.................................................................................255

4. Third-order nonlinear optical response from anisotropic metallic

nanocomposites ................................................................................260

5. Second-order nonlinear optical response for anisotropic

nanocomposites ................................................................................266

6. Conclusions .......................................................................................277

7. Acknowledgments ...........................................................................278

Chapter 9 Application of Atomic Absorption for Determination of Metal

Nanoparticles in Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposites...................284

1. Introduction........................................................................................284

2. Experimental method.......................................................................286

3. Results and discussion.....................................................................289

4. Conclusion..........................................................................................298

5. Acknowledgements...........................................................................298

Citation......................................................................................................303

Index...........................................................................................................305

About Author

Sandy Channing pursued her Ph.D. in Nanotechnology from Technical University, Pretoria. She is actively engaged in the researches focused on hybrid materials and nanomaterials. She is a Professor at Public Research Open University, Livorno. Her books and research papers in the field of nanotechnology, nanocomposites and polymers have been published worldwide. Channing has also won an “Outstanding Professor Award” for her outstanding contribution towards the academic community especially in the higher education programs. She is also an active member of several scientific and technical societies.