Effect of filler content on the structure‐property behavior of poly(ethylene oxide) based polyurethaneurea‐silica nanocomposites

Polymer Nanocomposites of Selenium Biofabricated Using Fungi

Nanoparticle-reinforced polymer-based materials effectively combine the functional properties of polymers and unique characteristic features of NPs. Biopolymers have attained great attention, with perspective multifunctional and high-performance nanocomposites exhibiting a low environmental impact with unique properties, being abundantly available, renewable, and eco-friendly. Nanocomposites of biopolymers are termed green biocomposites. Different biocomposites are reported with numerous inorganic nanofillers, which include selenium. Selenium is a micronutrient that can potentially be used in the prevention and treatment of diseases and has been extensively studied for its biological activity. SeNPs have attracted increasing attention due to their high bioavailability, low toxicity, and novel therapeutic properties. One of the best routes to take advantage of SeNPs' properties is by mixing these NPs with polymers to obtain nanocomposites with functionalities associated with the NPs together with the main characteristics of the polymer matrix. These nanocomposite materials have markedly improved properties achieved at low SeNP concentrations. Composites based on polysaccharides, including fungal beta-glucans, are bioactive, biocompatible, biodegradable, and have exhibited an innovative potential. Mushrooms meet certain obvious requirements for the green entity applied to the SeNP manufacturing. Fungal-matrixed selenium nanoparticles are a new promising biocomposite material. This review aims to give a summary of what is known by now about the mycosynthesized selenium polymeric nanocomposites with the impact on fungal-assisted manufactured ones, the mechanisms of the involved processes at the chemical reaction level, and problems and challenges posed in this area.

Biocomposites from Organic Solid Wastes Derived Biochars: A Review

The replacement of natural fiber with biochars to prepare biocomposites has attracted widespread attention recently. Biochar has unique properties, including the porous structure, large specific surface area, high thermal stability, good conductivity, renewable and abundant feedstock source, and environmental friendliness, which provide excellent properties, environmental benefits, and low production costs for biochar-based composites. Biocomposites from organic solid waste-derived biochars show good prospects worldwide in terms of positive social, environmental, and economic impacts. This paper reviews current biochars, elucidates the effects of biochars on the characteristics and performance of biochar composites, and points out the challenges and future development prospects of biochar composites.

Influence of the interfacial interaction strength on the viscoelasticity of hard-soft block copolymer based nanocomposites: a molecular dynamics simulation study

The effect of the interaction strength between hard segments (soft segments) and nanofillers on the morphology and viscoelastic mechanical properties of nanocomposites based on hard-soft block copolymers was studied by adopting molecular dynamics simulations. The morphologies of the models studied in this work could be classified into three types, each with distinct mechanical properties. The Payne effect and reinforcement of G' were successfully reproduced. Two mechanisms responsible for the viscoelastic behaviours were proposed, including damage of hard domains and desorption of polymer chains from the nanofillers. Further, the evolution of the polymer-nanofiller interface and hard domains was examined by monitoring the energy, snapshots, and corresponding microstructure parameters during deformation. The damage of hard domains was in the form of transforming from the compact state to the loose state.