Shock Wave-Assisted Exfoliation of 2D-Material-Based Polymer Nanocomposites: A Breakthrough in Nanotechnology

Idealized exfoliated polymer nanocomposites occur as a consequence of extensive interpenetration of polymers within the galleries of the layered structure, due to the substantial enhancement in d-spacing amidst the layers, curtailed by van der Waals forces acting within the structures. The present review provides an insight into the fabrication of exfoliated polymer nanocomposites via the delamination of layered 2D materials, through the application of high-temperature and pressure shock waves of Mach number of the order of 6-7, engendered within shock tubes to impersonate the unfeigned detonations cautiously, accompanied by the integration of these delaminated materials within polymeric matrices through various techniques. It also highlights the conventionally employed techniques for the exfoliation of layered materials along with an emphasis on the cutting-edge shock wave exfoliation of 2D materials delineating the advantages of the latter over the former methodologies along with the applications of exfoliated polymer nanocomposites across different sectors.