Various properties of zero-dimensional carbon nanomaterials-reinforced polymeric matrices

The polymeric materials are restricted in wide range of applications due to their insufficient mechanical, thermal, electrical and optical properties. It is well established that the use of nanofillers in polymeric matrices enable to engineer the properties of the polymeric materials and widen their applications. The latest discovery of novel zero dimensional (0D) carbon nanoparticles such as carbon/graphene dots and also fullerenes have made the researchers interest due to their extraordinary physical and chemical properties and used as reinforcing materials in polymer matrices. The incorporation of 0D carbon materials as nanofillers in polymeric matrices resulted in enhancement of optical, electrical, thermal and mechanical properties at lower weight loadings compared to other nanoparticles including higher dimensional carbon materials. The factors affecting the properties of polymeric matrices with nanoparticles are homogenous dispersion and weight loading of nanofillers. The 0D carbon materials polymer composites possess outstanding physical and chemical properties and find applications in diverse fields. This may be possibly due to their better dispersion and strong interaction between carbon particles and polymeric units either through covalent and/or non-covalent forces. This chapter provides an outlook about the synthetic strategies, various properties of 0D carbon nanomaterials reinforced polymeric matrices and their possible applications.