Nanocomposite Materials

Volume is indexed by Thomson Reuters CPCI-S (WoS).Nanocomposite materials constitute a rapidly evolving field of science and technology, of which the first applications are already on the market and many more are expected to follow. The admixture of relatively low amounts of nanoparticles (these are, by definition, any morphology having at least one dimension in the nano-range, i.e. particles, fibres, plates) within a matrix of polymer, ceramic or metal has a dramatic increasing effect upon the resultant properties (volume, surface and functional properties). Unusual property combinations can be obtained; resulting in a new class of materials for almost every application.However. before these exciting prospects can be fulfilled, a large number of unresolved questions still need to be answered: such as the true nature of such composites, the interaction of the enormously large nanoparticle interface with the matrix, the composition/structure/processing/property relationship, the reproducible production routes, the making of nanoparticles, and questions on cost, health, sustainability and standardization.This special volume provides an overview of various aspects of nanoparticle composites and thus intensify the networking and cross-fertilization of ideas between geographically distant groups working on nano-reinforced polymers, ceramics and metals.