Liquid phase exfoliated nanosheets as multifunctional fillers to semicrystalline polymers

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2 D) materials have emerged as important part of high-performance polymer nanocomposites, thanks to their immaculate and tunable properties. Layered double hydroxides (LDHs), in particular, have received much attention in the polymer industry as multifunctional fillers for polyolefins and vinyl polymers. Highly exfoliated boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) have been a reliable partner for polyesters and polyamides, especially as thermal conductivity fillers. In this article, we have critically reviewed the latest developments in the field of polymer nanocomposites based on 2 D materials, with special emphasis on liquid phase exfoliated LDHs and BNNSs. Liquid phase exfoliation delivers few-layered or even monolayered nanosheets, and further structural modifications or surface functionalizations of these nanosheets result in better compatibility with the polymer matrix. Trace amounts of the exfoliated 2 D nanofillers can significantly alter the crystallization kinetics, mechanical properties, thermal stability, thermal conductivity and flame-retardant properties of polymers. Through this review, we aim to track down some of the important contributions in this area along with our own works, and this article is expected to fertilize considerable progress in this field.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• liquid phase exfoliation
• LDH
• BNNS
• polymer nanocomposite

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sruthi Suresh

E. Bhoje Gowd received his M.Sc. (Tech) in Polymer Science and Technology from Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapuramu and Ph.D. from the University of Pune, Pune (work carried out at CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune). He worked as a post-doctoral fellow at Toyota Technological Institute, Nagoya, Japan and as an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research, Dresden, Germany. After a short stay at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore as a Centenary post-doctoral fellow, he joined National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram as a DST-SERB Ramanujan Fellow. In 2011, he accepted the Senior Scientist position at CSIR-NIIST and currently working as Senior Principal Scientist (since 2018). He has authored more than 75 international publications, edited a book and contributed 4 book chapters. His research interests are in the areas of polymer self-assembly, crystallization, nanocomposites, aerogels and biodegradable polymers.

Vipin G. Krishnan

Sruthi Suresh is a Ph.D. student at CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Material Science and Technology Division, Thiruvananthapuram, India under the supervision of Dr. E. Bhoje Gowd. She has received a Bachelor of Science degree in 2015 and a Master of Science in 2017 from Kannur University. She is working in the field of polymer nanocomposites based on 2D layered materials for EMI shielding applications.

Ashitha George

Vipin G. Krishnan is currently pursuing Ph.D. in the Materials Science and Technology Division of CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, India under the supervision of Dr. E. Bhoje Gowd. He completed B.Sc. in Chemistry from Kuriakose Gregorios College Pampady, India in 2014. He obtained M.Sc. in Chemistry from St. Berchmans College (Autonomous) Changanassery, India in 2016. Later in 2017, he joined Dr. Gowd’s group as UGC Junior Research Fellow. He has 2 international publications to his credit.

Baku Nagendra

Ashitha George is a Ph.D. scholar at the Material Science and Technology Division of CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, India under the supervision of Dr. E. Bhoje Gowd. She completed B.Sc. in Physics from St. Joseph’s college Devagiri, Calicut, India in 2015 and M.Sc. in Physics from Sacred Heart College, Thevara, India in 2017. Her research interest is in piezoelectric polymers for energy harvesting applications.

C. V. Sijla Rosely

Baku Nagendra received his MSc in Organic Chemistry from Sri Krishnadevaraya University (India) in 2010. He received his Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences under the supervision of Dr. E. Bhoje Gowd, as a CSIR- research fellow at CSIR National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (India) in 2018. He is currently working as a postdoctoral research fellow (since 2018) under the supervision of Prof. Gaetano Guerra, at the University of Salerno, Italy. He has published two patents and 26 international publications. His current research interest is the design of polymer films with unique structures, properties, and functions, using the principles of polymer crystallization and interface science.

E. Bhoje Gowd

C. V. Sijla Rosely is currently working as a post-doctoral fellow at Polymer Science and Rubber Technology Department of Cochin University of Science and Technology, Ernakulam. She completed her B.Sc. in Chemistry and MSc in Analytical Chemistry from Maharaja’s College Ernakulam and Ph.D. from CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, India under the supervision of Dr. E. Bhoje Gowd. She has 4 international publications to her credit. Her research interest includes polymer nanocomposites, 2D materials and photocatalysis.