Polymer nanocomposites with decorated metal oxides

This chapter represents an overview of polymer nanocomposites containing functional metal oxide nanoparticles as inorganic fillers. Metal oxide/polymer nanocomposites have received considerable attention as they are used in a wide range of applications in various fields including optoelectronic devices, biomedical applications, electromagnetic devices, optics, food packaging, photocatalysis, and many others. The desired properties of the nanocomposites could only be achieved with the good dispersion of nanostructures in the polymer matrix, which is difficult to achieve due to their specific surface area and volume effect. The surface engineered metal oxide nanoparticles overcome the aggregation problem providing improved interfacial interaction between the nanoparticles and the polymer matrix. Synthesis, surface functionalization, and nanocomposites of the metal oxide nanostructures as well as the properties and potential applications of the nanocomposites will be discussed this chapter