A review on new mesostructured composite materials: Part II. Characterization and properties

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Although a significant amount of work has already been done on various aspects of mesoporous silica polymer composite, more research is required in order to understand the exceptional properties observed at the nanoscale and utilize these properties at the macroscale. Recognition of the structure–property relations and proper understanding of the interfaces at the molecular scale will enable the nanoscale design of polymer–mesoporous silica hybrid materials with well-defined architecture that are unprecedented in materials science. Furthermore, polymer–mesoporous silica composite can be produced in large quantities through simple procedures such as mixing, casting, and spin-coating and can be easily scaled up to the large manufacturing processes. Therefore, polymer–mesoporous silica hybrid materials could become unique as bulk-scale mats having commercial applications. With regard to ease of processing, potentially low production costs, low thermal expansion, satisfactory translucencies, improved strength, and tunable properties, we suggest that these materials could become available in medical applications (e.g. orthopedic and dental), sustainable energy applications (e.g. retrofitted concrete slabs), advanced devices (e.g. photoelectronic materials), and fiber/mesoporous silica hybrid polymeric nanocomposites. Finally, we foresee a bright future for mesoporous silica–composite material both as bulk commodities and in fine nanotechnological ventures. The number of listed materials is by no means complete, nerveless, we hope to increase the interest and promote some discussion on this very important field which will attain further consideration in the future.

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