Polymer Nanocomposites in Sensor Applications: A Review on Present Trends and Future Scope

Polymers are crucial constituents of modern electronic devices. They can be used in their pristine, composite or nanocomposite forms for several domestic and industrial applications with innumerable unique possibilities. Polymer nanocomposites have gained wide theoretical interest and numerous practical applications in diverse fields of science and technology as they bestow the materials not only with virtuous processability but also with exceptional functionalities. It is evidenced that the electrical conductance of polymer nanocomposite is governed by the conductive filler networks within the polymer matrix. Hence, insignificant variation in the conductive networks can result in noteworthy variations in the output electric signal of polymer nanocomposite. Exploiting this stimuli-responsive performance of conductive networks to the physical parameters, polymer nanocomposites can be harnessed to fabricate novel sensitive sensors to detect vital physical parameters viz. strain/stress, pressure, temperature, solvent or vapor. Technical and phenomenological studies on polymer nanocomposites are still enduring. Advanced explanations are being sought but the mechanisms governing the formation of several polymer nanocomposites are still topics of debate in the material science community. Their in-depth investigation requires copious scientific work. This review analytically sketches the synthesis, microstructures, physiochemical properties and the underlying mechanisms for stimuli-responsiveness to the physical parameters of the polymer nanocomposites as well as their applications in various sensitive sensors and detectors. Thus, it became evocative for this review to focus on their processing methodologies, physiochemical physiognomies, classification and probable potentials of polymer nanocomposites. This review primarily presents the current literature survey on polymer composites and the gap areas in the study encourages the objective of the present review article. Finally, the status, perspectives and the advantages of specific polymer nanocomposites at present are summarized. The attention of this review is drawn to the present trends, challenges and future scope in this field of study. Finally, the vital concern and future challenge in utilizing the stimulus responsive behavior of polymer nanocomposites to design versatile sensors for real time applications are elaborately discussed.