Nanocomposites and methods thereto

• US 7,479,516 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2004
• Issued: 01/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Evermore Applied Materials Corp.
• Original Assignee: Zyvex Performance Materials, LLC
• Inventors: Chen, Jian, Rajagopal, Ramasubramaniam
• Primary Examiner(s): WYROZEBSKI LEE, KATARZYNA I
• Application Number:
  US10/850,721
• Publication Number:
  US 20070265379A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,705 Days
• Field of Search: 524/495, 524/445, 524/404, 424/443, 423/445
• US Class Current: 524/495
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 5/005 Reinforced macromolecular compounds with nanosized materials, e.g. nanoparticles, nanofibres, nanotubes, nanowires, nanorods or nanolayered materials
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 2201/011 Nanostructured additives
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 7/06 Elements
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 7/24 inorganic
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 21/00 Compositions of unspecified rubbers
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/73253 Bump and layer connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01021 Scandium [Sc]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01046 Palladium [Pd]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01077 Iridium [Ir]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01078 Platinum [Pt]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01079 Gold [Au]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/10253 Silicon [Si]

Abstract

Electrical, thermal and mechanical applications are provided for nanocomposite materials having low percolation thresholds for electrical conductivity, low percolation thresholds for thermal conductivity, or improved mechanical properties.

Claims

1. A nanocomposite, comprising:

a host matrix comprising polymer matrix or nonpolymer matrix, and

a functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprising a nanomaterial bonded with a polymer, the polymer being selected from the group consisting of;

2. The nanocomposite of claim 1 wherein the nanocomposite has an electrical conductivity percolation threshold that is lower than that of the host matrix and a nonfunctionalized nanomaterial.

3. The nanocomposite of claim 1 wherein the host matrix is a polymer matrix and the polymer matrix comprises a thermoplastic polymer, a thermoset polymer, or a combination thereof.

4. The nanocomposite of claim 1 wherein the host matrix is a polymer matrix and the polymer matrix comprises an inorganic polymer matrix.

5. The nanocomposite of claim 4 wherein the inorganic polymer matrix comprises silicone, polysilane, polycarbosilane, polygermane, polystannane, polyphosphazene, or a combination thereof.

6. The nanocomposite of claim 1 wherein the host matrix is a polymer matrix and the polymer matrix comprises a polyethylene, polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) rubber, polydicyclopentadiene, polytetrafluoroethylene, poly(phenylene sulfide), silicone, cellulose, poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(vinylidene chloride), poly(vinylidene fluoride), polyisobutylene, polychloroprene, polybutadiene, polypropylene, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl acetate), polystyrene, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polycyanoacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, poly(aryleneethynylene), poly(phenyleneethynylene), polythiophene, polyaniline, polypyrrole, polyphenylene, ethylene vinyl alcohol, fluoroplastic, polyacrylate, polybutylene, polyethylenechlorinate, polymethylpentene, polyamide, polyamide-imide, polyaryletherketone, polycarbonate, polyketone, polyester, polyetheretherketone, polyetherimide, polyethersulfone, polyimide, polyphenylene oxide, polyphthalamide, polysulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, epoxy resin, polyurethane, or a combination thereof.

7. The nanocomposite of claim 6 wherein the polymer matrix comprises a polystyrene.

8. The nanocomposite of claim 6 wherein the polymer matrix comprises a polyphenylene.

9. The nanocomposite of claim 6 wherein the polymer matrix comprises a polycarbonate.

10. The nanocomposite of claim 6 wherein the polymer matrix comprises a fluoroplastic and the fluoroplastic comprises polytetrafluoroethylene, fluoroethylene propylene, perfluoroalkoxyalkane, chlorotrifluoroethylene, ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, or a combination thereof.

11. The nanocomposite of claim 1 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises a functionalized and solubilized single-walled carbon nanotube, multi-walled carbon nanotube, carbon nanoparticle, carbon nanosheet, carbon nanofiber, carbon nanorope, carbon nanoribbon, carbon nanofibril, carbon nanoneedle, carbon nanohorn, carbon nanocone, carbon nanoscroll, carbon nanodot, or a combination thereof.

12. The nanocomposite of claim 1 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises a functionalized and solubilized single-walled boron nitride nanotube, multi-walled boron nitride nanotube, boron nitride nanoparticle, boron nitride nanosheet, boron nitride nanofiber, boron nitride nanorope, boron nitride nanoribbon, boron nitride nanofibril, boron nitride nanoneedle, boron nitride nanohorn, boron nitride nanocone, boron nitride nanoscroll, a boron nitride nanodot, or a combination thereof.

13. The nanocomposite of claim 1 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises a functionalized and solubilized graphite nanoplatelet, a functionalized and solubilized fullerene material, or a combination thereof.

14. The nanocomposite of claim 1 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises an amount equal to or greater than 0.01% and less than or equal to 75.0% by weight or volume of the nanocomposite.

15. The nanocomposite of claim 1 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises an amount equal to or greater than 0.04% and less than or equal to 50.0% by weight or volume of the nanocomposite.

16. The nanocomposite of claim 1 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises an amount equal to or greater than 0.1% and less than or equal to 10.0% by weight or volume of the nanocomposite.

17. The nanocomposite of claim 1 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial of the nanocomposite is a first filler and the nanocomposite further comprises a second filler to form a complex nanocomposite,

wherein the second filler comprises a continuous fiber, a discontinuous fiber, a nanoparticle, a microparticle, a macroparticle, or a combination thereof, and

the second filler is other than a functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial.

18. The nanocomposite of claim 1 wherein the host matrix is a first host polymer matrix and the nanocomposite further comprises a second host polymer matrix,

wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial is dispersed within the first and second host polymer matrices, and

wherein the nanocomposite has an increased electrical conductivity as compared to that of the first host polymer matrix alone.

19. The nanocomposite of claim 18 wherein the first host polymer matrix is an epoxy and the second host polymer matrix is a polycarbonate.

20. An article of manufacture comprising the nanocomposite of claim 1.

21. An article of manufacture comprising the nanocomposite of claim 2.

22. An article of manufacture comprising the nanocomposite of claim 11.

23. An article of manufacture comprising the nanocomposite of claim 17.

24. An article of manufacture comprising the nanocomposite of claim 18.

25. The article of manufacture of claim 20 wherein the article of manufacture comprises a fiber.

26. The article of manufacture of claim 20 wherein the article of manufacture comprises a film.

27. The article of manufacture of claim 20 wherein the article of manufacture comprises a powder.

28. The article of manufacture of claim 22 wherein the article of manufacture comprises a fiber.

29. A method of increasing electrical or thermal conductivity of a host matrix comprising a polymer matrix or nonpolymer matrix, the method comprising:

dispersing a functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprising a nanomaterial bonded with a polymer, the polymer being selected from the group consisting of;

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the host matrix material is the host matrix.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the host matrix material comprises a monomer of a host polymer matrix and the method further comprises the step of polymerizing the host polymer matrix material in the presence of the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein the host matrix is a first host polymer matrix and the method further comprises:

dispersing a second host polymer matrix material with functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial and with a first host polymer matrix material to form a nanocomposite comprising the first host polymer matrix and a second host polymer matrix,

wherein the nanocomposite has an increased electrical conductivity as compared to that of the first host polymer matrix alone.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the first host polymer matrix material is the first host polymer matrix and the second host polymer matrix material is the second host polymer matrix.

34. The method of claim 32 wherein the first host polymer matrix material comprises a monomer of the first host polymer matrix material, the second host polymer matrix material comprises a monomer of the second host polymer matrix material, and the method further comprises the step of polymerizing the host polymer matrix material in the presence of the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial.

35. The method of claim 29 wherein the nanocomposite has an electrical conductivity percolation threshold that is lower than that of the host matrix and a nonfunctionalized nanomaterial.

36. The method of claim 29 wherein the host matrix material comprises a thermoplastic polymer or monomer thereof, or a thermoset polymer, or monomer thereof, or a combination thereof.

37. The method of claim 29 wherein the host matrix is a polymer matrix and the polymer matrix comprises an inorganic polymer matrix.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the inorganic polymer matrix comprises silicone, polysilane, polycarbosilane, polygermane, polystannane, a polyphosphazene, or a combination thereof.

39. The method of claim 29 wherein the host matrix comprises a host polymer matrix material comprising a polyethylene, polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) rubber, polydicyclopentadiene, polytetrafluoroethylene, poly(phenylene sulfide), silicone, cellulose, poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(vinylidene chloride), poly(vinylidene fluoride), polyisobutylene, polychloroprene, polybutadiene, polypropylene, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl acetate), polystyrene, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polycyanoacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, poly(aryleneethynylene), poly(phenyleneethynylene), polythiophene, polyaniline, polypyrrole, polyphenylene, ethylene vinyl alcohol, fluoroplastic, polyacrylate, polybutylene, polyethylenechlorinate, polymethylpentene, polyamide, polyamide-imide, polyaryletherketone, polycarbonate, polyketone, polyester, polyetheretherketone, polyetherimide, polyethersulfone, polyimide, polyphenylene oxide, polyphthalamide, polysulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, epoxy resin, or a polyurethane, or monomer thereof, or a combination thereof.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the host polymer matrix material comprises a polystyrene, or monomer thereof.

41. The method of claim 39 wherein the host polymer matrix material comprises a polyphenylene, or monomer thereof.

42. The method of claim 39 wherein the host polymer matrix material comprises a polycarbonate, or monomer thereof.

43. The method of claim 39 wherein the host polymer matrix material comprises a fluoroplastic and the fluoroplastic comprises polytetrafluoroethylene, fluoroethylene propylene, perfluoroalkoxyalkane, chlorotrifluoroethylene, ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene, or ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, or monomer thereof, or combination thereof.

44. The method of claim 29 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises a functionalized, solubilized single-walled carbon nanotube, multi-walled carbon nanotube, carbon nanoparticle, carbon nanosheet, carbon nanofiber, carbon nanorope, carbon nanoribbon, carbon nanofibril, carbon nanoneedle, carbon nanohorn, carbon nanocone, carbon nanoscroll, carbon nanodot, or a combination thereof.

45. The method of claim 29 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises a functionalized, solubilized single-walled boron nitride nanotube, multi-walled boron nitride nanotube, boron nitride nanoparticle, boron nitride nanosheet, boron nitride nanofiber, boron nitride nanorope, boron nitride nanoribbon, boron nitride nanofibril, boron nitride nanoneedle, boron nitride nanohorn, boron nitride nanocone, boron nitride nanoscroll, a boron nitride nanodot, or a combination thereof.

46. The method of claim 29 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises a functionalized, solubilized graphite nanoplatelet, a functionalized, solubilized fullerene material, or a combination thereof.

47. The method of claim 29 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises an amount equal to or greater than 0.01% and less than or equal to 75.0% by weight or volume of the nanocomposite.

48. The method of claim 29 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises an amount equal to or greater than 0.04% and less than or equal to 50.0% by weight or volume of the nanocomposite.

49. The method of claim 29 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises an amount equal to or greater than 0.1% and less than or equal to 10.0% by weight or volume of the nanocomposite.

50. The method of claim 29 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial is a first filler, and the dispersing further comprises

dispersing a second filler within the host matrix material to form a complex nanocomposite,

wherein the second filler comprises a continuous fiber, a discontinuous fiber, a nanoparticle, a microparticle, a macroparticle, or a combination thereof, and wherein the second filler is other than a functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial.

51. The method of claim 32 wherein the first host polymer matrix is an epoxy polymer and the second host polymer matrix is a polycarbonate polymer.

52. A nanocomposite, comprising:

a host matrix of polymer matrix or nonpolymer matrix, wherein the polymer matrix is other than polystyrene and polycarbonate, and

a functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprising a nanomaterial bonded with a polymer, the polymer being selected from the group consisting of;

53. The nanocomposite of claim 52 wherein the host matrix is a polymer matrix and the polymer matrix comprises a thermoplastic polymer, a thermoset polymer, or a combination thereof.

54. The nanocomposite of claim 52 wherein the host matrix is a polymer matrix and the polymer matrix comprises an inorganic polymer matrix.

55. The nanocomposite of claim 52 wherein the host matrix is a polymer matrix and the host polymer matrix comprises a polyethylene, polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) rubber, polydicyclopentadiene, polytetrafluoroethylene, poly(phenylene sulfide), silicone, cellulose, poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(vinylidene chloride), poly(vinylidene fluoride), polyisobutylene, polychloroprene, polybutadiene, polypropylene, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl acetate), polystyrene, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polycyanoacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, poly(aryleneethynylene), poly(phenyleneethynylene), polythiophene, polyaniline, polypyrrole, polyphenylene, ethylene vinyl alcohol, fluoroplastic, polyacrylate, polybutylene, polyethylenechlorinate, polymethylpentene, polyamide, polyamide-imide, polyaryletherketone, polyketone, polyester, polyetheretherketone, polyetherimide, polyethersulfone, polyimide, polyphenylene oxide, polyphthalamide, polysulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, epoxy resin, a polyurethane, or a combination thereof.

56. The nanocomposite of claim 52 wherein the host polymer matrix comprises a polyphenylene.

57. The nanocomposite of claim 52 wherein the host polymer matrix comprises a fluoroplastic and the fluoroplastic comprises polytetrafluoroethylene, fluoroethylene propylene, perfluoroalkoxyalkane, chlorotrifluoroethylene, ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, or a combination thereof.

58. The nanocomposite of claim 52 wherein the host matrix is a first host polymer matrix and the nanocomposite further comprises a second host polymer matrix,

wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial is dispersed within the first and second host polymer matrices, and

wherein the nanocomposite has a mechanical property that is enhanced as compared to that of the first matrix alone.

59. The nanocomposite of claim 52 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises a functionalized and solubilized single-walled carbon nanotube, multi-walled carbon nanotube, carbon nanoparticle, carbon nanosheet, carbon nanofiber, carbon nanorope, carbon nanoribbon, carbon nanofibril, carbon nanoneedle, carbon nanohorn, carbon nanocone, carbon nanoscroll, carbon nanodot, or a combination thereof.

60. The nanocomposite of claim 52 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises a functionalized and solubilized single-walled boron nitride nanotube, multi-walled boron nitride nanotube, boron nitride nanoparticle, boron nitride nanosheet, boron nitride nanofiber, boron nitride nanorope, boron nitride nanoribbon, boron nitride nanofibril, boron nitride nanoneedle, boron nitride nanohorn, boron nitride nanocone, boron nitride nanoscroll, a boron nitride nanodot, or a combination thereof.

61. The nanocomposite of claim 52 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises a functionalized, solubilized graphite nanoplatelet, a functionalized, solubilized fullerene material, or a combination thereof.

62. The nanocomposite of claim 52 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises an amount of equal to or greater than 0.01% and less than or equal to 75.0% by weight or volume of the nanocomposite.

63. The nanocomposite of claim 52 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises an amount of equal to or greater than 0.04% and less than or equal to 50.0% by weight or volume of the nanocomposite.

64. The nanocomposite of claim 52 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial of the nanocomposite is a first filler and the nanocomposite further comprises a second filler to form a complex nanocomposite,

wherein the second filler comprises a continuous fiber, a discontinuous fiber, a nanoparticle, a microparticle, a macroparticle, or a combination thereof, and

the second filler is other than a functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial.

75. An article of manufacture comprising the nanocomposite of claim 52.

76. An article of manufacture comprising the nanocomposite of claim 54.

77. An article of manufacture comprising the nanocomposite of claim 55.

95. An article of manufacture comprising the nanocomposite of claim 58.

96. An article of manufacture comprising the nanocomposite of claim 59.

97. An article of manufacture comprising the nanocomposite of claim 64.

65. A nanocomposite, comprising:

a polystyrene, and

functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprising a nanomaterial bonded with a polymer, the polymer being selected from the group consisting of;

66. The nanocomposite of claim 65 wherein the polystyrene is a first host polymer matrix and the nanocomposite further comprises a second host polymer matrix,

wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial is dispersed within the first and second host polymer matrices.

67. The nanocomposite of claim 65 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises a functionalized, solubilized single-walled carbon nanotube, multi-walled carbon nanotube, carbon nanoparticle, carbon nanosheet, carbon nanofiber, carbon nanorope, carbon nanoribbon, carbon nanofibril, carbon nanoneedle, carbon nanohorn, carbon nanocone, carbon nanoscroll, carbon nanodot, or a combination thereof.

68. The nanocomposite of claim 65 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises an amount of equal to or greater than 0.01% and less than or equal to 75.0% by weight or volume of the nanocomposite.

69. The nanocomposite of claim 65 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises an amount of equal to or greater than 0.04% and less than or equal to 50.0% by weight or volume of the nanocomposite.

98. An article of manufacture comprising the nanocomposite of claim 65.

70. A nanocomposite, comprising:

a host matrix comprising a first polymer matrix and a second polymer matrix wherein the first polymer matrix is polycarbonate, and

a functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprising a nanomaterial bonded with a polymer, the polymer being selected from the group consisting of;

71. The nanocomposite of claim 70 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises a functionalized and solubilized single-walled carbon nanotube, multi-walled carbon nanotube, carbon nanoparticle, carbon nanosheet, carbon nanofiber, carbon nanorope, carbon nanoribbon, carbon nanofibril, carbon nanoneedle, carbon nanohorn, carbon nanocone, carbon nanoscroll, carbon nanodot, or a combination thereof.

72. The nanocomposite of claim 70 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises an amount of equal to or greater than 0.01% and less than or equal to 75.0% by weight or volume of the nanocomposite.

73. The nanocomposite of claim 70 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises an amount of equal to or greater than 0.04% and less than or equal to 50.0% by weight or volume of the nanocomposite.

74. The nanocomposite of claim 70 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial of the nanocomposite is a first filler and the nanocomposite further comprises a second filler to form a complex nanocomposite

wherein the second filler comprises a continuous fiber, a discontinuous fiber, a nanoparticle, a microparticle, a macroparticle, or a combination thereof, and

the second filler is other than a functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial.

99. An article of manufacture comprising the nanocomposite of claim 70.

78. A method of improving a mechanical property of a host matrix comprising polymer matrix or nonpolymer matrix, wherein the host matrix is other than polystyrene or polycarbonate, the method comprising:

dispersing a functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprising a nanomaterial bonded with a polymer, the polymer being selected from the group consisting of;

79. The method of claim 78 wherein the host matrix material comprises a monomer of the host matrix and the method further comprises the step of polymerizing the host matrix material in the presence of the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial.

80. The method of claim 78 wherein the host matrix is a first host polymer matrix and the method further comprises:

dispersing a second host polymer matrix material with functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial and with a first host polymer matrix material to form a nanocomposite comprising a first host polymer matrix and a second host polymer matrix,

wherein the nanocomposite has an improved mechanical property compared to that of the first host polymer matrix alone.

81. The method of claim 80 wherein the first host polymer matrix material is the first host polymer matrix.

82. The method of claim 80 wherein the first host polymer matrix material comprises a monomer of the first host polymer matrix material and the method further comprises the step of polymerizing the host polymer matrix material in the presence of the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial.

83. The method of claim 78 wherein the host polymer matrix comprises a thermoplastic polymer or monomer thereof, a thermoset polymer resin, or monomer thereof, or a combination thereof.

84. The method of claim 78 wherein the host material is a polymer matrix and the polymer matrix comprises an inorganic polymer matrix.

85. The method of claim 84 wherein the inorganic polymer matrix comprises silicone, polysilane, polycarbosilane, polygermane, polystannane, a polyphosphazene, or a combination thereof.

86. The method of claim 78 wherein the host matrix comprises a host polymer matrix material comprising a polyethylene, polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) rubber, polydicyclopentadiene, polytetrafluoroethylene, poly(phenylene sulfide), silicone, cellulose, rayon, poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(vinylidene chloride), poly(vinylidene fluoride), polyisobutylene, polychloroprene, polybutadiene, polypropylene, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl acetate), polyvinylpyrrolidone, polycyanoacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, poly(aryleneethynylene), poly(phenyleneethynylene), polythiophene, polyaniline, polypyrrole, polyphenylene, ethylene vinyl alcohol, fluoroplastic, ionomer, polyacrylate, polybutylene, polyethylenechlorinate, polymethylpentene, polyamide, polyamide-imide, polyaryletherketone, polyketone, polyester, polyetheretherketone, polyetherimide, polyethersulfone, polyimide, polyphenylene oxide, polyphthalamide, polysulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, epoxy resin, or a polyurethane, or monomer thereof, or a combination thereof.

87. The method of claim 86 wherein the host polymer matrix material comprises a polyphenylene, or monomer thereof.

88. The method of claim 86 wherein the host polymer matrix material comprises a fluoroplastic and the fluoroplastic comprises polytetrafluoroethylene, fluoroethylene propylene, perfluoroalkoxyalkane, chlorotrifluoroethylene, ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene, or ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, or monomer thereof, or combination thereof.

89. The method of claim 78 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises a functionalized, solubilized single-walled carbon nanotube, multi-walled carbon nanotube, carbon nanoparticle, carbon nanosheet, carbon nanofiber, carbon nanorope, carbon nanoribbon, carbon nanofibril, carbon nanoneedle, carbon nanohorn, carbon nanocone, carbon nanoscroll, carbon nanodot, or a combination thereof.

90. The method of claim 78 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises an amount equal to or greater than 0.01% and less than or equal to 75.0% by weight or volume of the nanocomposite.

91. The method of claim 78 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprises an amount equal to or greater than 0.04% and less than or equal to 50.0% by weight or volume of the nanocomposite.

92. The method of claim 78 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial is a first filler, and the dispersing further comprises

dispersing a second filler within host matrix material to form a complex nanocomposite, wherein the second filler comprises a continuous fiber, a discontinuous fiber, a nanoparticle, a microparticle, a macroparticle, or a combination thereof, and

wherein the second filler is other than a functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial.

93. A method of improving a mechanical property of a host matrix comprising a first polymer matrix and a second polymer matrix wherein the first polymer matrix is polycarbonate, the method comprising:

dispersing functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial comprising a nanomaterial bonded with a polymer, the polymer being selected from the group consisting of;

94. The method of claim 93 wherein the functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial is a first filler, and the dispersing further comprises

dispersing a second filler within host matrix material to form a complex nanocomposite, wherein the second filler comprises a continuous fiber, a discontinuous fiber, a nanoparticle, a microparticle, a macroparticle, or a combination thereof, and

wherein the second filler is other than a functionalized, solubilized nanomaterial.