ABSTRACT
A judicious choice of the functional group grafted on the carbon nanofiber (CNF) is therefore critical for achieving a higher reinforcement effect in the nanocomposite. The chemically genius carbon has the unique ability to from carbon-carbon bonds in many different ways, with divergent hybridizations of the four valence orbitals to generate a variety of allotropes with characteristic properties. The manipulation of the macroscale properties of a polymer composite by infusing nanoscale structural variables leads to enormous opportunities for a technological and scientific understanding of the nanocomposite. Optimization of the shear force without damaging the CNF structure is a challenge for the preparation of CNF/polymer composites by the melt mixing approach. The structurally different CNFs are easier for physicochemical derivatization so better features can be introduced in the CNFs as well as for low-cost targeted strategic applications. The overall performances of the CNF/polymer composites are largely governed by the dispersion and orientation of the CNFs in the polymer matrix.
