Two-dimensional Inorganic Nanomaterials for Conductive Polymer Nanocomposites

Functional, flexible and lightweight products are in high demand for modern technologies ranging from microelectronics to energy storage devices. The majority of polymers are thermal and electrical insulators, which hinder their use in these applications. The conductivity of polymers can be significantly enhanced by the incorporation of conducting inorganic nanoparticles. However, this relies not only on the structure and function of the inorganic particles, but is highly determined by the morphology and dispersion of the nanoparticles, interfacial interactions and fabrication technologies of the composites. This book highlights the synthesis, chemistry and applications of two-dimensional (2D) inorganic nanoplatelets in polymer nanocomposites. Chapters cover technical challenges, such as surface functionalisation, compatibilization, interfacial interaction, dispersion, and manufacturing technologies of the polymer nanocomposites. The book also discusses the applications of these polymer nanocomposites in electronics and energy storage. With contributions from global experts, the book provides a much-needed overview of the field, giving advanced undergraduates, postgraduates and other researchers with a convenient introduction to the topic.

Dr Chaoying Wan is an Associate Professor in multifunctional nanocomposites. She specialises in polymer synthesis and characterisation of multiphase/multicomponent nanocomposites, exploitation of multifunctionality for energy storage applications. She has expertise in developing reactive processing of thermoplastic-, thermoset- and elastomer-based blends/alloys and nanocomposites through in situ polymerisation and reactive extrusion. Dr Wan has edited or authored nine books published by Springer, Elsevier, and Wiley-VCH since 2015.

Xingyi Huang is a professor at Research Center of Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Huang’s research focuses on novel high-k polymers and polymer nanocomposites for electrical insulation, energy storage and thermal management applications. He received his Ph.D. in Materials Science from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2008, had a postdoctoral experience of Chemistry in Shanghai Jiao Tong University and was a visiting scholar in Waseda University, Japan. Huang is senior member of IEEE and serves as Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation since 2018 and serves as Associate Editor of High voltage since 2017. Since 2019, he serves as editorial board member of IEEE TDEI and Composites Science and Technology.

Chris Bowen is Professor of Materials Science at the University of Bath. He has have significant expertise in ferroelectric composites for transducer applications such as sensor, actuators and energy harvesting.  This includes expertise the polymer composite design (see front cover), materials modelling, manufacture and characterisation. He has over 200 journal papers in refereed international journals and over 50 conference publications. h-index: 42, i-10 index: 158, >7500 citations (Google Scholar). Journals publications cover a spectrum of disciplines of Materials, Engineering, Physics and Chemistry including Phys. Rev. Lett., Acta Materialia, Energy & Environmental Science, Advanced Energy Materials, Chem. Soc. Rev., J. of Phys. Chem. Lett., and Scientific Reports. He has filed six patents, two of which are with commercial companies (Element Six and Eurocoating).

Dr Chaoying Wan is an Associate Professor in multifunctional nanocomposites. She specialises in polymer synthesis and characterisation of multiphase/multicomponent nanocomposites, exploitation of multifunctionality for energy storage applications. She has expertise in developing reactive processing of thermoplastic-, thermoset- and elastomer-based blends/alloys and nanocomposites through in situ polymerisation and reactive extrusion. Dr Wan has edited or authored nine books published by Springer, Elsevier, and Wiley-VCH since 2015.

Xingyi Huang is a professor at Research Center of Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Huang’s research focuses on novel high-k polymers and polymer nanocomposites for electrical insulation, energy storage and thermal management applications. He received his Ph.D. in Materials Science from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2008, had a postdoctoral experience of Chemistry in Shanghai Jiao Tong University and was a visiting scholar in Waseda University, Japan. Huang is senior member of IEEE and serves as Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation since 2018 and serves as Associate Editor of High voltage since 2017. Since 2019, he serves as editorial board member of IEEE TDEI and Composites Science and Technology.

Chris Bowen is Professor of Materials Science at the University of Bath. He has have significant expertise in ferroelectric composites for transducer applications such as sensor, actuators and energy harvesting.  This includes expertise the polymer composite design (see front cover), materials modelling, manufacture and characterisation. He has over 200 journal papers in refereed international journals and over 50 conference publications. h-index: 42, i-10 index: 158, >7500 citations (Google Scholar). Journals publications cover a spectrum of disciplines of Materials, Engineering, Physics and Chemistry including Phys. Rev. Lett., Acta Materialia, Energy & Environmental Science, Advanced Energy Materials, Chem. Soc. Rev., J. of Phys. Chem. Lett., and Scientific Reports. He has filed six patents, two of which are with commercial companies (Element Six and Eurocoating).