Advanced Composites Made by the Layer-by-Layer (LBL) Assembly of Nanomaterials

This chapter focuses on the preparation and applications of layer-by-layer (LBL) assembled organic/inorganic films. As model systems we use incorporation of two multifunctional nanomaterials in the LBL: the clay nanosheets and carbon nanotubes. All the aspects of the composite design starting with the structure of the individual nanoscale building blocks and their interactions with polymer matrix, orientation of the inorganic components in the multilayer, origin of record properties, and most likely applications of the resulting materials are given. Special attention is placed on the understanding of the control parameters for key functional properties such as mechanical strength/stiffness/toughness, electrical transport, transparency, and some properties relevant for biological applications. Keywords: layer-by-layer; clay nanoparticles; carbon nanotubes; multilayered assemblies