Structural assessment of nanocomposites

Yong X Gan

doi:10.1016/j.micron.2012.02.004

Structural assessment of nanocomposites

Micron. 2012 Jul;43(7):782-817. doi: 10.1016/j.micron.2012.02.004. Epub 2012 Mar 1.

Author

Yong X Gan¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Toledo, 2801 W Bancroft Street, Toledo, OH 43606, USA. yong.gan@utoledo.edu

PMID: 22417678
DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2012.02.004

Abstract

This paper provides an overview on structural assessment of nanocomposite materials. First of all, a brief description of advanced structure characterization methods such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and scanning tunneling microscopy is presented. Secondly, applications of these methods for analysis of structures and compositions of typical nanocomposites are introduced. The nanocomposites are formed by different nanoscale processing technologies. Electrochemically polymerized polyaniline (PANi) nanocomposites, thermomechanically processed metal matrix nanocomposites, nanocast ceramic matrix composites are typical examples discussed in this paper. Case studies on several functional nanocomposites for energy storage/conversion, catalysis and sensing applications are mentioned. After that, assessment of the interface structures of nanocomposite materials using surface characterization techniques and mechanical damage models is discussed. Finally, concluding remarks are provided.