Deciphering the pathways for evaluation of nanofillers for polymer composites: biodegradability, sustainability, and emerging applications

• Published in: Biomass conversion and biorefinery Vol. 14; no. 13; pp. 13659 - 13690
• Main Authors: Radhakrishnan, Sidharth, Das, Partha Pratim, Chaudhary, Vijay
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.07.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomedical materials; Biotechnology; Energy; Life cycle assessment; Polymer matrix composites; Polymers; Renewable and Green Energy; Review Article; Nanotoxicity; Polymer composites; Biodegradability; Nanofillers; Greener society; Sustainability
• ISSN: 2190-6815; 2190-6823
• DOI: 10.1007/s13399-022-03548-0

Due to their light weight, high specific strength, and low cost, polymer composite (PC) materials are used in a variety of industrial and home applications. An appropriate nanofiller can be used to improve the different performances of polymer composites. The present study gives an insight into the use of nanofillers in polymer composites, and their influence on the performance of polymer composites is summarized. The broad classification of processing routes of nanofiller and nanofiller-based polymer composites is also presented. As we are moving towards a greener society, the biodegradability of the polymer composites and their suitability along with the life cycle stages of PCs are also highlighted. Although nanofillers significantly improve the overall performance of biocomposites, excessive use of nanofillers is not recommended. The nanotoxicity associated with excessive use of nanofillers is addressed, and the emerging applications of nanofiller-based biocomposites are also discussed.