Synthesis and characterization of new polymer-ceramic nanophase composite materials

Optically transparent nanocomposites are of special interest since they have great potential in optical applications. The synthesis of poly(methacrylic methylester)/monodispersed Cu2(OH)2CO3 particles, a new nanocomposite material with a refractive index similar to glass, is here described. The system can be easily deposited on glass plates by spin-coating technology, yielding homogeneous, low-defect thin films of high transparency, that can be used as color filters for liquid crystal displays. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) have been used to characterize the composite material.