Polymer-Inorganic Hybrids and Their Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer-inorganic hybrid materials include a broad variety of systems. For instance, a polymer can act as a matrix for dispersed inorganic nanoparticles thus constituting what is known by the name of nanocomposites. A special case of nanocomposites comprises inorganic particles which are linked by covalent bonds with the polymer matrix. Also, materials with a tightly bound interconnected network of inorganic and organic species have been prepared. Besides other preparation methods, processes based on in situ particle synthesis including sol-gel processes have frequently been applied. Such methods can prevent agglomeration of inorganic species in the final products, which is often a problem when preformed nanoparticles and polymers are mixed, unless the particles are modified with an organic surface layer. Importantly, polymer-inorganic hybrids can exhibit materials properties which are more pronounced or even differ from those of comparable polymer composites with larger inorganic particles, such as optical properties (e.g., transparency and color, including dichroism), magnetic properties (superparamagnetism), mechanical properties, chemical properties (catalytic or sensory activity), and gas barrier properties. Thus, polymer-inorganic hybrid materials are considered to find application in various areas, for example in optics, catalysis, sensor technology, electronics, magnetism, mechanics, and food and beverage packaging.

Prof. Dr. Walter Remo Caseri
Guest Editor