Perspective of laser-prototyping nanoparticle-polymer composites

Nanoparticle synthesis by laser ablation in liquids has attracted attention from researchers worldwide the past few years and the integration of these nanoparticles in functional materials such as nanoparticle-polymer composites, represents a natural next step. Such "nanointegration" into polymers can be achieved by the ex situ dispersion of laser-synthesized inorganic nanoparticles in polymer matrices and the in situ encapsulation/grafting of nanoparticles with polymers/monomers during synthesis. Because the nanoparticle shell and the polymer matrix may be identical, this method often does not require the use of dispersants or matrix binders and constitutes a new avenue for direct particle-polymer coupling. In this perspective review, we summarize the methodologies for in situ and ex situ laser prototyping of nanoparticle-polymer composites (LaNPC) and downstream bulk-processing techniques. The determinants of polymer-solvent-laser parametrization for aimed physical and chemical properties of the composites are discussed. By highlighting representative works related to a variety of promising applications, the advantageous features of this technique are demonstrated. Finally, the challenges and prospects of LaNPC are outlined and a perspective is given regarding how the recent research findings reviewed changed the research direction in the field. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.