Non-Covalently Interacted Thermosetting/Conducting Matrices and Fullerene Derived Nanocomposites - Design, Features and Technological Applications

This comprehensive review highlights two important categories of fullerene reinforced nanocomposites (thermosetting/fullerene and conductive/fullerene) having physical/non-covalent interlinkings (electrostatic, hydrogen bonding and π-π aromatic ring stackings) in macromolecular-nanofiller phases. As per literature, physical linkages of macromolecular matrices with fullerene nano-additives caused substantial enhancements in morphological, mechanical, thermal, dielectric, tribological, electrochemical, anticorrosion, photovoltaic, power energy conversion, capacitive and other properties of ensuing thermosets/fullerene and conductive/fullerene hybrids. Accordingly, non-covalent interactions effectively increased structural stability/performance of polymer/fullerene nanocomposites via homogeneous macromolecular chain orientations and miscibility effects along with uniform nanoparticle dispersions and compatible interfaces. Particularly, initial section 2 (after introduction) explains basics of fullerene and Section 3 essentially describes dispersion state, interfacial aspects, and property-performance profiles, and mechanism of physically linked polymer/fullerene nanocomposites. Next, section 4 portrays literature state of thermosets/fullerene nanocomposites. Mostly, non-covalent nanocomposites diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A epoxy/blends with fullerene were processed via sonication, in situ, solution, and curing techniques. Herein, adding fullerene notably enhanced tensile strength, modulus, toughness, dielectric constant, and anticorrosion potential of epoxies by ~ 80-100 %. For bulk heterojunction solar cells, epoxy/fullerene hybrids depicted power conversion efficiency of > 3 %. Next, section 5 speaks to conductive (polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene derivatives) nanocomposites with fullerene, mostly synthesized by in situ, solution/sonication methods. In photovoltaics, conducting polymer/fullerene nanocomposites had superior power conversion efficiency of 30 % and for supercapacitors/batteries specific capacitance and capacity retention were > 800 Fg⁻¹ and > 90 %, respectively. Incidentally, last section states prospective future and conclusive remarks on thermoset/fullerene and conductive/fullerene nanomaterials. Hence, objective of this review is to unfold practical amplification of non-covalently interlinked thermosetting/fullerene and conductive/fullerene nanocomposites (high-tech anticorrosion coatings, solar cells, rechargeable batteries) for concerned field researchers. Nevertheless, physically interlinked polymer/fullerene nanocomposites face various challenges of macromolecular chain aggregations, non-uniform dispersions, and uncontrolled processing parameters, thereby affecting microstructures and property-performance contours.