Conjugated Matrix Nanocomposites with Nanodiamond Nanoadditives—Fundamentals and Forefronts.

AbstractNanodiamonds have been researched as sphere-shaped carbon nano-entities having countless surface/structural properties, facile fabrication and mammoth technological value. An important utilization of nanodiamonds has been observed as nano-reinforcing agents for nanocompositing purposes. Semiconducting polymers (conjugated polymers) having π electron delocalization have been documented for worthy electrochemical/optical/thermal/mechanical features, in addition to the electron transfer through their backbone. Doping of carbonaceous nanoparticles, like nanodiamonds, with conjugated polymers have been found to further improve the valuable physical characteristics in their final nanocomposite form. Correspondingly, this overview describes the impact of nanodiamond nano-reinforcement on the specialized aspects of polyaniline/nanodiamond, polypyrrole/nanodiamond and polythiophene/nanodiamond nanocomposites. According to literature reports, these groupings of conjugated polymer/nanodiamond hybrids revealed noteworthy microstructural, conductive, optical, electrochemical, microwave absorption, specific capacitance, photovoltaic and actuation characteristics. Subsequently, several significant applications of polymer/nanodiamond nanomaterials have been explored including the solar cells, supercapacitors and actuators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]