One-dimensional conducting polymer nanocomposites: Synthesis, properties and applications

Intrinsically conducting polymers have been studied extensively due to their intriguing electronic and redox properties and numerous potential applications in many fields since their discovery in 1970s. To improve and extend their functions, the fabrication of multi-functionalized conducting polymer nanocomposites has attracted a great deal of attention because of the emergence of nanotechnology. This article presents an overview of the synthesis of one-dimensional (1D) conducting polymer nanocomposites and their properties and applications. Nanocomposites consist of conducting polymers and one or more components, which can be carbon nanotubes, metals, oxide nanomaterials, chalcogenides, insulating or conducting polymers, biological materials, metal phthalocyanines and porphyrins, etc. The properties of 1D conducting polymer nanocomposites will be widely discussed. Special attention is paid to the difference in the properties between 1D conducting polymer nanocomposites and bulk conducting polymers. Applications of 1D conducting polymer nanocomposites described include electronic nanodevices, chemical and biological sensors, catalysis and electrocatalysis, energy, microwave absorption and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, electrorheological (ER) fluids, and biomedicine. The advantages of 1D conducting polymer nanocomposites over the parent conducting polymers are highlighted. Combined with the intrinsic properties and synergistic effect of each component, it is anticipated that 1D conducting polymer nanocomposites will play an important role in various fields of nanotechnology.