Progress on the Use of Microwave Radiation to Modify Polymer Nanocomposites (2022)

This research aims to modify surface behavior of polymer nanocomposites, particularly to develop a polymer surface suitable for biomedical applications such as biosensors and bioscaffolds. Numerous methods are available for material modification. For example, ion irradiation introduces foreign ions or atoms in the matrix. Similarly, a solvent method can also introduce similar impurities along with the breakage of the polymer chain. In this research, we employ microwave ion radiation. Using electromagnetic energy based on microwave radiation, one can modify the material microstructure, possibly due to the destruction and deformation of the polymer chain and their rearrangement without adding foreign impurities. This process can be accelerated using different nanofillers. We are, therefore, studying the surface modification of polymer nanocomposites using microwave irradiation. We will present the effects of microwave irradiation on the surface behavior of polymer composites such as hydrophilicity, surface resistivity, and thermal behavior of the composites.