Radiation-Induced Effects on the Properties of Polymer-Metal Nanocomposites

This chapter primarily includes the fundamental concepts related to metal nanoparticles with their unique features followed by importance of incorporating them in polymer matrix and finally considering irradiation as a novel tool to tailor the properties of metal–polymer nanocomposites. These nanocomposites are one of the promising materials which have been used in a wide variety of applications ranging from biomedical to optical and electrical devices to aerospace applications. Ionizing irradiation technique is among the most promising strategies for synthesis as well as to amend the changes in composite material because of the advantage of irradiation process compared to conventional synthesis like chemical, vapour deposition, etc., the process is simple, clean and controlled, carried out without producing undesired oxidants products of reducing agents, avoids the addition of undesirable impurities and produces composites which are highly stable. Irradiation-induced effects on polymer-metal nanocomposites provide unique pathway to control and modify the structural, optical and electrical properties of composites basically required for various applications as per desire. Thus, utilizing irradiations as a novel tool, a systematic study has been done to tune the properties of polymer-metal nanocomposites. Induced changes on structural, optical, and electrical properties have been conferred in this chapter.