The book, Nanorods and Nanocomposites aims to provide the reader with an overview of the recent advances made on the synthesis of nanorods and nanocomposites and their emerging applications for a better lifestyle. The nanorods are a surprising gift to materials science from the research field of nanoscale materials. Nanorods promise to serve as a building block of the next-generation electronic and optoelectronic devices. Nanocomposite materials are multiphase solid materials that have one organic or inorganic nanoarchitectured compound with various nanostructures, such as nanoparticles, nanowires, nanorods, and nano-films, etc., or with multiphase solid materials (metals, oxides, polymers, and carbon). Due to the progressive physical, chemical, electrical, thermal, optical, electrochemical, and catalytic properties of nanocomposites, they exhibit multi-functional characteristics in a variety of engineering applications such as piezoelectrics, thermoresistors, sensors, energy-related technologies, water purification catalysts, electro-photonics, and so on. Despite the wide variety of applications due to their unique nanostructures, the fabrication of nanocomposites and the realization of their applications in different fields remains a challenging task. The focus of this book is to provide a platform for presentation of the latest knowledge and recent progress in synthesis, functionalization, and applications of nanocomposite materials. It is expected that this book presents the most attractive and versatile technological developments in the field of nanorods and nanocomposite materials and their applications that will provide a better understanding of the currently ongoing research in related fields.

Nanomaterials are defined as materials in which at least one length dimension is below 100 nanometers. In this size regime, these materials exhibit particular - and tunable - optical, electrical or mechanical properties that are not present at the macro-scale. This opens up the possibility for a plethora of applications at the interface of materials, chemistry, physics and biology, many of which have already entered the commercial realm. When nanomaterials are blended with other materials not necessarily in the nanometer regime, the resulting nanocomposites can exhibit dramatically different properties than the bulk material alone, leading to an enhanced performance in terms of, for example, increased thermal and mechanical stability. This book presents the synthesis, characterization and applications of nanomaterials and nanocomposites, covering zero-dimensional, elemental nanoparticles, one-dimensional materials such as nanorods and nanowhiskers, two-dimensional materials such as graphene and boron nitride as well as three-dimensional materials such as fullerenes, polyhedral oligomers and zeolites, complemented by bio-based nanomaterials, e.g., cellulose, chitin, starch and proteins. Introductory chapters on the state-of-the-art of nanomaterial research and the chemistry and physics in nanoscience and nanotechnology round off the book.

Meeting the demand for a readily understandable introduction to nanomaterials and nanotechnology, this textbook specifically addresses the needs of students - and engineers - who need to get the gist of nanoscale phenomena in materials without having to delve too deeply into the physical and chemical details. The book begins with an overview of the consequences of small particle size, such as the growing importance of surface effects, and covers successful, field-tested synthesis techniques of nanomaterials. The largest part of the book is devoted to the particular magnetic, optical, electrical and mechanical properties of materials at the nanoscale, leading on to emerging and already commercialized applications, such as nanofluids in magnetic resonance imaging, high-performance nanocomposites and carbon nanotube-based electronics. Based on the author's experience in teaching nanomaterials courses and adapted, in style and level, for students with only limited background knowledge, the textbook includes further reading, as well as information boxes that can be skipped upon first reading.

The development of nanomaterials opens the possibility for new materials with outstanding properties compared to classical engineering materials. These materials can find applications in different fields such as medical treatment or structural mechanics. This monograph focuses on two major groups of nanomaterials, i.e.nanoparticels and nanocomposites. Nanopartices, for example in the form of hollow particles, allow for new possibilities in drug delivery. Different aspects of nanoparticles ranging from manufacturing to modeling and simulation are covered. Nanocomposite materials are formed by mixing two or more dissimilar materials at the nanoscale in order to control and develop new and improved structures and properties. The properties of nanocomposites depend not only on the individual components used but also on the morphology and the interfacial characteristics. Nanocomposite coatings and materials are one of the most exciting and fastest growing areas of research and novel properties being continuously developed which are previously unknown in the constituent materials. Thus, the second part of this monograph gives an overview on the latest developments in the area of composites and coatings based on nanomaterials.

To have unimaginably outstanding useful properties (physical, mechanical, electrical, optical, chemical, and magnetic) in a single material design is a highly challenging task in the material science community, which can be achieved through nanocomposites. These nanocomposites can be produced from all conventional materials, which include polymers, metals/alloys, and ceramics, by modifying their internal structures. Due to modification of the structures of all kinds of conventional materials, at either the nano or ultra-fine level, the materials exhibit superior performance, which is a boon for all fields of science. In general, nanocomposite materials can be manufactured by solid-state processing techniques, liquid metallurgy, ex-situ and in-situ powder metallurgy, and other basic science synthesis routes. Furthermore, the possibility of making environmentally friendly materials is also possible with nanotechnology. Therefore, to investigate and demonstrate developments in the field of nanocomposites, this book is targeted at all the scientific personnel working in this field.

Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites: Characterization, Processing, and Applications discusses the most recent research in nanomaterials and nanocomposites for a range of applications as well as modern characterization tools and techniques. It deals with nanocomposites that are dispersed with nanosized particulates and carbon nanotubes in their matrices (polymer, metal, and ceramic). In addition, the work: Describes different nanomaterials, such as metal and metal oxides, clay and POSS, carbon nanotubes, cellulose, and biobased polymers in a structured manner Examines the processing of carbon nanotube-based nanocomposites, layered double hydroxides, and cellulose nanoparticles as functional fillers and reinforcement materials Covers size effect on thermal, mechanical, optical, magnetic, and electrical properties Details machining and joining aspects of nanocomposites Discusses the development of smart nanotextiles (intelligent textiles), self-cleaning glass, sensors, actuators, ferrofluids, and wear-resistant nanocoatings. This book enables an efficient comparison of properties and capabilities of these advanced materials, making it relevant for materials scientists and chemical engineers conducting academic research and industrial R&D into nanomaterial processing and applications.

This book brings together multiple aspects of the recent research conducted in the field of nanotechnology covering topics such as the synthesis of various nanoparticles, nanorods, graphene, graphene oxide-metal composites, characterization of these materials, and ample aspects of various applications including in heavy metal sensing, optoelectronic devices, gas sensing, solar cells, biomedical sensors, role in the drug delivery, and waste-water treatment. The book is of interest to early career researchers, who are trying to grasp multiple aspects of nanomaterials and nanocomposite synthesis and its potential applications.