Optical polymer nanocomposites

• US 20030175004A1
• Filed: 02/19/2003
• Published: 09/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Anna Panackal, Anthony F. Garito, Brian P. Thomas, Jaya Sharma, Jingsong Zhu, Renfeng Gao, Renyuan Gao, Yu-Ling Hsiao
• Original Assignee: Anna Panackal, Anthony F. Garito, Brian P. Thomas, Jaya Sharma, Jingsong Zhu, Renfeng Gao, Renyuan Gao, Yu-Ling Hsiao
• Inventors: Zhu, Jingsong, Thomas, Brian, Hsiao, Yu-Ling, Gao, Renyuan, Gao, Renfeng, Garito, Anthony F., Panackal, Anna, Sharma, Jaya
• Application Number:
  US10/367,683
• Publication Number:
  US 20030175004A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/143
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 2201/011 Nanostructured additives
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 3/01 characterized by their specific function
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/04 made of organic materials, e.g. plastics G02B1/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/046 characterised by the core material
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/048 characterised by the cladding material
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/02033 Core or cladding made from organic material, e.g. polymeric material G02B1/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0229 characterised by nanostructures, i.e. structures of size less than 100 nm, e.g. quantum dots
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/10 of the optical waveguide type G02B6/02, G02B6/24 take precedence; devices or arrangements for the control of light by electric, magnetic, electro-magnetic or acoustic means G02F1/00; transferring the modulation of modulated light G02F2/00; optical logic elements G02F3/00; optical analogue/digital converters G02F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/122 Basic optical elements, e.g. light-guiding paths
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/1221 made from organic materials
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/13 Integrated optical circuits characterised by the manufacturing method
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/355 characterised by the materials used
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/36 Micro- or nanomaterials

Abstract

A composite material that includes a host matrix and a plurality of dispersed nanoparticles within the host matrix. Each of the plurality of nanoparticles may include a halogenated outer coating layer that seals the nanoparticle and prevents agglomeration of the nanoparticles within the host matrix. The invention also includes a process of forming the composite material. Depending on the nanoparticle material, the composite material may have various applications including, but not limited to, optical devices, windowpanes, mirrors, mirror panels, optical lenses, optical lens arrays, optical displays, liquid crystal displays, cathode ray tubes, optical filters, optical components, all these more generally referred to as components.

Claims

1. A composite material comprising:

a host matrix, and

a plurality of nanoparticles within the host matrix.

2. The composite material of claim 1, wherein a majority of said nanoparticles includes at least one coating.

3. The composite material of claim 2, wherein a majority of said nanoparticles includes a halogen-containing outer layer.

4. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said host matrix comprises at least one polymer.

5. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the plurality of nanoparticles is distributed within said host matrix such that the composite exhibits substantially isotropic properties.

6. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said host matrix is chosen from halogenated elastomers, perhalogenated elastomers, halogenated plastics, and perhalogenated plastics.

7. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said host matrix comprises a polymer, a copolymer, or a terpolymer having at least one halogenated monomer chosen from one of the following formulas:

8. The composite material of claim 7, wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are at least partially fluorinated.

9. The composite material of claim 7, wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are completely fluorinated.

10. The composite material of claim 7, wherein at least one of R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ is chosen from a C₁-C₁₀, linear or branched, being saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon-based chains.

11. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said host matrix comprises a polymer condensation product of at least one of the following monomeric reactions:

HO—

R—

OH+NCO—

R′

—

NCO;

or HO—

R—

OH+Ary¹-Ary²,

wherein;

R, R′

, which may be identical or different, are chosen from one of halogenated alkylenes, halogenated siloxanes, halogenated ethers, halogenated silylenes, halogenated arylenes, halogenated polyethers, and halogenated cyclic alkylenes; and

Ary¹, Ary², which may be identical or different, are chosen from halogenated aryls and halogenated alkyl aryls.

12. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said host matrix comprises a material chosen from halogenated polycarbonates, halogenated cyclic olefin polymers, halogenated cyclic olefin copolymers, halogenated polycyclic polymers, halogenated polyimides, halogenated polyether ether ketones, halogenated epoxy resins, and halogenated polysulfones.

13. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said host matrix comprises a combination of two or more different fluoropolymer materials.

14. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said polymer host matrix further comprises halogenated polymers having functional groups chosen from phosphinates, phosphates, carboxylates, silanes, siloxanes, and sulfides.

15. The composite material of claim 14, wherein the functional groups chosen from POOH, POSH, PSSH, OH, SO₃H, SO₃R, SO₄R, COOH, NH₂, NHR, NR₂, CONH₂, and NH—

NH₂, wherein R denotes;

linear or branched hydrocarbon-based chains, capable of forming at least one carbon-based ring, being saturated or unsaturated;

alkylenes, siloxanes, silanes, ethers, polyethers, thioethers, silylenes, and silazanes.

16. The composite material of claim 1, wherein at least one material comprising said host matrix is chosen from homopolymers, or copolymers, of vinyl, acrylate, methacrylate, vinyl aromatic, vinyl ester, alpha beta unsaturated acid ester, unsaturated carboxylic acid ester, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, and diene monomers.

17. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said host matrix comprises a hydrogen-containing fluoroelastomer.

18. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said host matrix further comprises a cross-linked halogenated polymer.

19. The composite material of claim 18, wherein said halogenated polymer comprises a fluorinated polymer.

20. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said polymer comprises a perhalogenated polymer.

21. The composite material of claim 20, wherein the perhalogenated polymer comprises a perfluorinated polymer.

22. The composite material of claim 20, wherein said polymer comprises a perhalogenated elastomer.

23. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said host matrix comprises a hydrogen-containing perfluoroelastomer.

24. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said host matrix comprises a hydrogen-containing fluoroplastic.

25. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said host matrix comprises a hydrogen-containing perfluorothermoplastic.

26. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said host matrix comprises a blend of at least one material chosen from halogenated, fluorinated, and perfluorinated polymer.

27. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said host matrix comprises poly[2,2-bistrifluoromethyl-4,5-difluoro-1,3-dioxole-co-tetrafluoroethylene].

28. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said polymer host matrix comprises poly[2,2-bisperfluoroalkyl-4,5-difluoro-1,3-dioxole-co-tetrafluoroethylene].

29. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said host matrix comprises poly[2,3-(perfluoroalkenyl)perfluorotetrahydrofuran].

30. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said polymer host matrix comprises poly[2,2,4-trifluoro-5-trifluoromethoxy-1,3-dioxole-co-tetrafluoroethylene].

31. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said host matrix comprises poly(pentafluorostyrene).

32. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said host matrix comprises fluorinated polyimide.

33. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said host matrix comprises fluorinated polymethylmethacrylate.

34. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said host matrix comprises polyfluoroacrylates.

35. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said host matrix comprises polyfluorostyrene.

36. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said host matrix comprises fluorinated polycarbonates.

37. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said host matrix comprises perfluoro-polycyclic polymers.

38. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said polymer host matrix comprises fluorinated cyclic olefin polymers.

39. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said host matrix comprises fluorinated copolymers of cyclic olefins.

40. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles comprises at least one element chosen from rare-earth metals, transition metals, group V elements, V³⁺, Cr³⁺, Cr⁴⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Ni²⁺, Ti³⁺, and Bi³⁺.

41. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles comprises at least one element chosen from rare-earth metals, V³⁺, Cr³⁺, Cr⁴⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Ni²⁺, Ti³⁺, and Bi³⁺.

42. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles comprises at least one element chosen from transition metals, V³⁺, Cr³⁺, Cr⁴⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Ni²⁺, Ti³⁺, and Bi³⁺.

43. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles comprises at least one component chosen from group V elements, V³⁺, Cr³⁺, Cr⁴⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Ni²⁺, Ti³⁺, and Bi³⁺.

44. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles comprises at least one component chosen from V³⁺, Cr³⁺, Cr⁴⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Ni²⁺, Ti³⁺, and Bi³⁺.

45. The composite material of claim 40, wherein said at least one element is combined with at least one material chosen from oxides, phosphates, halophosphates, arsenates, sulfates, borates, aluminates, gallates, silicates, germanates, vanadates, niobates, tantalates, tungstates, molybdates, alkalihalogenates, halides, nitrides, nitrates, sulfides, zirconates, selenides, sulfoselenides, oxysulfides, phosphinates, hexafluorophosphinates, and tetrafluoroborates.

46. The composite material of claim 40, wherein said at least one element is chosen form Cr³⁺ and Cr⁴⁺, and is combined with at least one material chosen from oxides, phosphates, halophosphates, arsenates, sulfates, borates, aluminates, gallates, silicates, germanates, vanadates, niobates, tantalates, tungstates, molybdates, alkalihalogenates, halides, nitrides, nitrates, sulfides, zirconates, selenides, sulfoselenides, oxysulfides, phosphinates, hexafluorophosphinates, and tetrafluoroborates.

47. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles comprises a semiconductor material.

48. The composite material of claim 47, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles comprises a semiconductor material chosen from Si, PbS, Ge, GaP, GaAs, InP, InAs, InSb, PbSe, and PbTe.

49. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles comprises at least one material chosen from group III through group V elements.

50. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles comprises at least one material chosen from n-type group III through group V elements.

51. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles comprises at least one material chosen from precious metals, Cu, and alloys thereof.

52. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles comprises at least one material chosen from transition metal elements, transition metal complexes, transition metal containing materials, transition metal oxides, and transition metal containing polymers.

53. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles comprises at least one material having an index of refraction ranging from about 1 to about 5.

54. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles comprises at least one material having an index of refraction ranging from about 1.5 to about 4.5.

55. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles comprises at least one material chosen from dye nanoparticles.

56. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles comprises at least one material chosen from Cr³⁺, Cr⁴⁺, and Ca₂GeO₄.

57. The composite material of claim 40, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles further comprises at least one material chosen from Si, PbS, Ge, GaP, GaAs, InP, InAs, InSb, PbSe, PbTe, lithium niobate, non-linear optical chromophores, and organic dyes.

58. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles comprises at least one functional group is chosen from POOH, POSH, PSSH, OH, SO₃H, SO₃R, SO₄R, COOH, NH₂, NHR, NR₂, CONH₂, and NH—

NH₂, wherein R is chosen from linear or branched hydrocarbon-based chains, capable of forming at least one carbon-based ring, being saturated or unsaturated, alkylenes, siloxanes, silanes, ethers, polyethers, thioethers, silylenes, and silazanes.

59. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles comprises at least one polymer.

60. The composite material of claim 59, wherein said at least one polymer is chosen from homopolymers, or copolymers, of vinyl, acrylic, vinyl aromatic, vinyl esters, alpha beta unsaturated acid esters, unsaturated carboxylic acid esters, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, and diene monomers.

61. The composite material of claim 1, wherein a majority of said plurality of nanoparticles has a major dimension of less than about 50 nm.

62. The composite material of claim 1, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles further comprises a first group of particles including an active material of a first type and at least one group of particles that including an active material of a type different from the first type.

63. The composite material of claim 1, wherein a majority of said nanoparticles include a halogenated outer coating layer comprising at least one halogen chosen from fluorine, chlorine, and bromine atoms.

64. The composite material of claim 63, wherein the halogenated outer coating layer is formed from at least one material chosen from halogenated polyphosphates, halogenated phosphates, halogenated phosphinates, halogenated dithiophosphinates, halogenated pyrophosphates, halogenated alkyl titanates, halogenated alkyl zirconates, halogenated silanes, halogenated alcohols, halogenated amines, halogenated carboxylates, halogenated amides, halogenated sulfates, halogenated esters, halogenated acid chloride, halogenated acetylacetonate, halogenated thiols, and halogenated alkylcyanide.

65. The composite material of claim 64, wherein the halogenated outer coating layer is fluorinated.

66. The composite material of claim 63, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles further includes an inner coating disposed beneath the halogenated outer coating layer, wherein the inner coating includes one or more passivation layers.

67. The composite material of claim 63, wherein the halogenated outer coating layer comprises a material that reacts with and neutralizes a radical group on at least one of the plurality of nanoparticles.

68. The composite material of claim 67, wherein the radical group is OH.

69. The composite material of claim 67, wherein the radical group comprises an ester.

70. A process of forming a composite material, comprising:

coating a majority of a plurality of nanoparticles with a halogenated outer layer; and

dispersing the plurality of coated nanoparticles into a host matrix material.

71. The process of claim 70, wherein the host matrix material comprises at least one polymer.

72. The process of claim 70, wherein the host matrix material comprises at least one halogen-containing polymer.

73. The process of claim 70, further comprising forming one or more passivation layers on a majority of the nanoparticles prior to coating each of the plurality of nanoparticles with a halogenated outer layer.

74. The process of claim 70, wherein coating a majority of the nanoparticles further comprises:

forming the plurality of nanoparticles in the presence of a halogen-containing coating material, and

forming the halogenated outer layer on a majority of the nanoparticles in situ.

75. The process of claim 70, wherein coating a majority of the nanoparticles further comprises dispersing nanoparticles into a solution including a halogen-containing coating material.

76. The process of claim 70, wherein coating the nanoparticles further comprises;

placing the nanoparticles into a solvent including constituents for forming the halogenated outer layer; and

performing a chemical replacement reaction to substitute the halogenated outer layer for a preexisting coating on a majority of the plurality of nanoparticles.

77. The process of claim 70, wherein dispersing comprises;

co-dissolving the nanoparticles, and the host matrix, in a solvent to form a solution;

spin coating the solution onto a substrate; and

evaporating the solvent from the solution.

78. The process of claim 70, wherein the host matrix is a monomer host matrix.

79. The process of claim 78, further comprising polymerizing the monomer after dispersing the nanoparticles in the host matrix.

80. An optical waveguide comprising:

a core for transmitting incident light; and

a cladding material disposed about the core,

wherein the core of the optical waveguide comprises;

a host matrix; and

a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed within the host matrix.

81. The optical waveguide of claim 80, wherein the plurality of nanoparticles including at least one halogenated outer coating layer.

82. The optical waveguide of claim 80, wherein the host matrix comprises at least one material chosen from halogenated elastomers, perhalogenated elastomers, halogenated plastics, and perhalogenated plastics.

83. The optical waveguide of claim 80, wherein the host matrix comprises at least one material chosen from hydrogen-containing perfluoroelastomers, hydrogen-containing fluoroplastics, perfluorothermoplastics, blend of at least two different fluoropolymer materials, poly[2,2-bistrifluoromethyl-4,5-difluoro-1,3-dioxole-co-tetrafluoroethylene], poly[2,2-bisperfluoroalkyl-4,5-difluoro-1,3-dioxole-co-tetrafluoroethylene], poly[2,3-(perfluoroalkenyl)perfluorotetrahydrofuran, poly[2,2,4-trifluoro-5-trifluoromethoxy-1,3-dioxole-co-tetrafluoroethylene], poly(pentafluorostyrene), fluorinated polyimides, fluorinated polymethylmethacrylate, polyfluoroacrylates, polyfluorostyrene, fluorinated polycarbonates, perfluoro-polycyclic polymers, fluorinated cyclic olefin polymers, and fluorinated copolymers of cyclic olefins.

84. The optical waveguide of claim 80, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles comprises at least one material chosen from rare-earth metals, V³⁺, Cr³⁺, Cr⁴⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Ni²⁺, Ti³⁺, and Bi³⁺.

85. The optical waveguide of claim 80, wherein said at least one material is combined with at least one material chosen from oxides, phosphates, halophosphates, arsenates, sulfates, borates, aluminates, gallates, silicates, germanates, vanadates, niobates, tantalites, tungstates, molybdates, alkalihalogenates, halogenides, nitrides, sulfides, selenides, sulfoselenides, oxysulfides, phosphinates, hexafluorophosphinates, and tetrafluoroborates.

86. The optical waveguide of claim 80, wherein said at least one material is chosen from Cr³⁺ and Cr⁴⁺, and combined with at least one material chosen from oxides, phosphates, halophosphates, arsenates, sulfates, borates, aluminates, gallates, silicates, germanates, vanadates, niobates, tantalites, tungstates, molybdates, alkalihalogenates, halogenides, nitrides, sulfides, selenides, sulfoselenides, oxysulfides, phosphinates, hexafluorophosphinates, and tetrafluoroborates.

87. The optical waveguide of claim 80, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles comprises a polymer.

88. The optical waveguide of claim 80, wherein the halogenated outer coating layer comprises at least one halogen chosen from fluorine, chlorine, and bromine.

89. The optical waveguide of claim 80, wherein the halogenated outer coating layer is formed from at least one material chosen from a group comprising halogenated polyphosphates, halogenated phosphates, halogenated phosphinates, halogenated dithiophosphinates, halogenated pyrophosphates, halogenated alkyl titanates, halogenated alkyl zirconates, halogenated silanes, halogenated alcohols, halogenated amines, halogenated carboxylates, halogenated amides, halogenated sulfates, halogenated esters, halogenated acid chloride, halogenated acetylacetonate, halogenated thiols, and halogenated alkylcyanide.

90. The optical waveguide of claim 80, wherein said plurality of nanoparticles further includes at least one inner coating disposed beneath the halogenated outer layer coating layer, wherein the inner coating includes at least one passivation layer.

91. The optical waveguide of claim 80, wherein a majority of said plurality of nanoparticles has a major dimension of less than about 50 nm.

92. A process for improving a gain medium of a component, said process comprising:

a composite material further comprising;

a host matrix; and

a plurality of nanoparticles within the host matrix; and

doping said host matrix with an effective amount of particles comprising at least one material chosen from rare-earth metals, Cr³⁺, Cr⁴⁺, Ni²⁺, V³⁺, Ti³⁺, Bi³⁺, Co²⁺, and Fe²⁺.

93. A process for improving electro-optic properties of a component said process comprising:

forming said component from a composite material comprising;

a host matrix; and

a plurality of nanoparticles within the host matrix; and

doping said host matrix with nanoparticles comprising at least one material chosen from lithium niobate, GaAs, non-linear optical chromophores and organic dyes.

94. The process of claim 93, wherein at least one said organic dye is chosen from derivatives of dithiphene, diphenoquinoid, and anthraquinodimethane.

95. A process for improving magneto-optic properties of a component, said process comprising:

forming said component from a composite material comprising,

a host matrix, and

a plurality of nanoparticles within the host matrix; and

adding to said nanoparticles an effective amount of least one material chosen from YVO₄, TbPO₄, HoYbBiIG, (Cd,Mn,Hg)Te, MnAs, Y_2.82 Ce0.18Fe₅O₁₂, Bi-substituted iron garnet, Yttrium Iron Garnet, Terbium Gallium Garnet, Lithium Niobate, and paramagnetic rare-earth ions containing at least one nanoparticle chosen from Tb⁺³, Y⁺³, and Ce⁺³.

96. The process of claim 95 wherein the concentration of the said nanoparticles ranges from about 10 volume % to about 95 volume % of the composite material.

97. A process for improving abrasion resistant properties of a component, said process comprising;

forming said component from a composite material comprising;

a host matrix;

a plurality of nanoparticles within the host matrix; and

doping said host matrix with an effective amount of at least one hard material.

98. The process of claim 97 wherein said alt least one hard material is chosen from SiO₂, TiO₂, and YAG.

99. A process for improving the light absorption properties of a component, said process comprising:

forming said component from a composite material comprising;

a host matrix;

a plurality of nanoparticles within the host matrix; and

coating said nanoparticles with an amorphous polymer material that exhibits high optical transparency.

101. The process in claim 99 wherein said rare-earth metals are chosen from Nd⁺³, Pr⁺³, and Ho⁺³.

102. The process in claim 99 wherein said nanoparticles exhibit optical absorption characteristics in approximately a 450 nm, 525 nm, or 575 nm wavelength.

100. The process in claim 100, wherein said amorphous polymer material comprises at least one material chosen from coated inorganic, organic, and polymer nanoparticles;

further comprising at least one nanoparticles comprising a material chosen from rare-earth metals

103. A process for improving thermal stability properties of a component, said process comprising:

forming said component from a composite material comprising;

a host matrix;

a plurality of nanoparticles within the host matrix; and

doping said host matrix with an effective amount of nanoparticles comprising at least one material chosen from materials having a negative thermal expansion coefficient.

104. The process of claim 103, wherein said at least one material having a negative thermal expansion coefficient is chosen from Ni—

Ti alloys, ZrW₂O₈, ZrMo₂O₈, Y₂(WO₄)₃, V doped ZrP₂O₇, ZrV₂O₇, (Zr₂O)(PO₄)₂, Th₄(PO₄)₄P₂O₇, and AOMO₄,

wherein;

A is chosen from Nb and Ta;

M is chosen from P, As, and V.

105. The process of claim 103, wherein said at least one material having a negative thermal expansion coefficient is chosen from materials of formula (I)

A₁₋

y⁴⁺A_y¹⁺A_y³⁺V<sub>2−

x</sub>P_xO₇  

 

(I)

wherein;

A⁴⁺ is chosen from Hf, Zr, Zr_aM_b, and Hf_aM_b, and mixtures thereof,

a+b=1

A¹⁺ is chosen from alkali earth metals,

A³⁺ is chosen from rare-earth metals,

M is chosen from Ti, Ce, Th, U, Mo, Pt, Pb, Sn, Ge or Si

y ranges from about 0 to about 0.4,

x ranges from about 0.6 to about 1.4.

106. The process of claim 105, wherein said at least one material having of formula (I) is chosen from (ZrO)₂VP₂O₇, ZrVPO₇, Zr_0.8Li_0.2VPO₇, Zr_0.8Ce_0.2VPO₇, and HfVPO₇.

107. A composition comprising:

a halogen polymer host matrix; and

a plurality of nanoparticles within the halogenated polymer host matrix.

108. A process for improving chemical resistance of a component, said process comprising:

forming said component from a composite material comprising;

a halogen-containing polymer host matrix; and

a plurality of nanoparticles within the halogen-containing polymer host matrix.

109. A process for reducing water absorptivity of a component, said process comprising:

forming said component from a composite material comprising;

a halogen-containing polymer host matrix; and

a plurality of nanoparticles within the halogen-containing polymer host matrix.

110. A process for improving biocompatibility of a component, said process comprising:

forming said component from a composite material comprising;

a halogen-containing polymer host matrix; and

a plurality of nanoparticles within the halogen-containing polymer host matrix.

111. An integrated optical component comprising:

a host matrix; and

a plurality of nanoparticles within the host matrix.

112. A drug delivery device comprising:

a host matrix; and

a plurality of nanoparticles within the host matrix,

said nanoparticles comprising and effective amount of active ingredient.

113. The device of claim 112, wherein a majority of said nanoparticles are coated with an effective amount of biocompatible material.

114. An integrated component comprising:

a host matrix; and

a plurality of nanoparticles within the host matrix.