Colloidal nanocomposite particles: quo vadis?

Technical advances in the field of colloidal nanocomposite particles over the past two years are briefly reviewed. Particular emphasis is given to organic-inorganic nanocomposite particles in which the organic phase is a vinyl polymer and the inorganic phase is typically silica. Such nanocomposite particles have been examined in a wide range of applications, ranging from new synthetic mimics for understanding the behaviour of micro-meteorites, to stimulus-responsive Pickering emulsifiers to tough, transparent, scratch-resistant coatings for either timber or housing exteriors. Important breakthroughs, including both improved formulations and characterisation techniques, are discussed and likely future developments in this field are assessed.