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S. G. Nedilko
the object under study. First, it should be emphasized that in this work we deal
only with micro- or nanocomposites. These notations mean that one or more of
their components are of sizes in nano- (up to 200 nm) and/or microscale ranges up
to 200 μm [6]. It is known that properties of the super small particles change when
their size is lesser than the so-called critical size. It is of 50 nm when refractive index
changes arise or 100 nm when electromagnetic phenomena changes, strengthening
and toughening occur, or hardness and plasticity are modified [7]. So, if we believe
to find manifestation of processes actual in optics, we have to operate with materials
that contain components of size smaller than 100 nm.
It is important to note when the particle sizes are of nanosized scale, the role of
interface interactions becomes significant that allows enhancement of the composite
properties. In the most experimental cases, we dealt with mixture of micro- and
nanosized components of the composites. So, it could be better to denote them as
micro-/nanocomposites, we suppose.
The micro-/nanocomposite materials can be classified, according to their
matrix materials, in three different types: ceramic matrix micro-/nanocomposites
(CMM/NCs), metal matrix micro-/nanocomposites (MMM/NCs), and polymer
matrix micro-/nanocomposites (PMM/NCs) [1]. We will be in touch here only
with the last ones. The PMM/NCs are of wide applications due to their higher
developed level and specific or sometimes unique properties and characteristics
if compared to metal and ceramic composites. Thus, various types of polymerbased micro-/nanocomposites containing dielectric or semiconductor nanoparticles
have already been developed for specific applications. As for polymers themselves,
they are widely used in industry and technology due to their easy production and
lightweight and ductile nature as well. However, they possess some disadvantages
such as low modulus and strength compared to metals and ceramics. When the
fibers, whiskers, or particles are added into polymer matrix, then it is an approach
to effectively enhance mechanical and other polymers’ properties. To do it, various
polymers have been filled with some inorganic compounds in order to increase
heat and impact resistance and mechanical strength or to modify their electrical
conductivity or permeability to oxygen and water molecules [8]. Some metal or
ceramic reinforcements opened the way to add new magnetic, electronic, optical,
or catalytic properties possessed to inorganic, e.g., metal and oxide nanoparticles.
Incorporation of these additives allowed improvement of the polymer characteristics
simultaneously keeping their lightweight and ductile nature [2, 9, 10].
Thus, one of the aims of this work was to provide brief summary about
morphology, structure, and optical properties of the PMM/NC incorporated with
inorganic, particularly oxide, compounds which makes them attractive for modern
devices, primarily optical ones. We will compare some of these data with ones
obtained about PMM/NC made by us. Then, we will give a closer look on the
original data concerning, made by us, composites, namely, composites made on the
basis of well-known, but promising in the future, polymer, which is cellulose.
S. G. Nedilko
the object under study. First, it should be emphasized that in this work we deal
only with micro- or nanocomposites. These notations mean that one or more of
their components are of sizes in nano- (up to 200 nm) and/or microscale ranges up
to 200 μm [6]. It is known that properties of the super small particles change when
their size is lesser than the so-called critical size. It is of 50 nm when refractive index
changes arise or 100 nm when electromagnetic phenomena changes, strengthening
and toughening occur, or hardness and plasticity are modified [7]. So, if we believe
to find manifestation of processes actual in optics, we have to operate with materials
that contain components of size smaller than 100 nm.
It is important to note when the particle sizes are of nanosized scale, the role of
interface interactions becomes significant that allows enhancement of the composite
properties. In the most experimental cases, we dealt with mixture of micro- and
nanosized components of the composites. So, it could be better to denote them as
micro-/nanocomposites, we suppose.
The micro-/nanocomposite materials can be classified, according to their
matrix materials, in three different types: ceramic matrix micro-/nanocomposites
(CMM/NCs), metal matrix micro-/nanocomposites (MMM/NCs), and polymer
matrix micro-/nanocomposites (PMM/NCs) [1]. We will be in touch here only
with the last ones. The PMM/NCs are of wide applications due to their higher
developed level and specific or sometimes unique properties and characteristics
if compared to metal and ceramic composites. Thus, various types of polymerbased micro-/nanocomposites containing dielectric or semiconductor nanoparticles
have already been developed for specific applications. As for polymers themselves,
they are widely used in industry and technology due to their easy production and
lightweight and ductile nature as well. However, they possess some disadvantages
such as low modulus and strength compared to metals and ceramics. When the
fibers, whiskers, or particles are added into polymer matrix, then it is an approach
to effectively enhance mechanical and other polymers’ properties. To do it, various
polymers have been filled with some inorganic compounds in order to increase
heat and impact resistance and mechanical strength or to modify their electrical
conductivity or permeability to oxygen and water molecules [8]. Some metal or
ceramic reinforcements opened the way to add new magnetic, electronic, optical,
or catalytic properties possessed to inorganic, e.g., metal and oxide nanoparticles.
Incorporation of these additives allowed improvement of the polymer characteristics
simultaneously keeping their lightweight and ductile nature [2, 9, 10].
Thus, one of the aims of this work was to provide brief summary about
morphology, structure, and optical properties of the PMM/NC incorporated with
inorganic, particularly oxide, compounds which makes them attractive for modern
devices, primarily optical ones. We will compare some of these data with ones
obtained about PMM/NC made by us. Then, we will give a closer look on the
original data concerning, made by us, composites, namely, composites made on the
basis of well-known, but promising in the future, polymer, which is cellulose.