Polymers reinforced with nanoparticles, such as carbon nanotubes, are of great interest due to their remarkable mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties as well as optical, electronic, and magnetic applications. In the general research area of polymer nanocomposites, a number of critical issues need to be addressed before the full potential of polymer nanocomposites can actually be realized. While a number of advances have recently been made in the area of polymer nanocomposites, the studies on understanding of the effects of processing parameters on the structure, morphology, and functional properties of polymer nanocomposites are deficient. There is a need for characterization techniques to quantify the concentration and distributions of nanoparticles as well as to assess the strength at the interface between the polymer and nanoparticles. Also, there is a need for the development of better models able to predict the mechanical properties of the polymer nanocomposites as functions of myriad factors including nanoparticle orientation, the type of functional groups, and the molecular weight of polymer chain. The relationships between the structural distributions and the ultimate properties of the polymer nanocomposites also need to be elucidated.

For the second time, a special issue of the Journal of Nanomaterials will be devoted to emerging polymer nanocomposite processing techniques and call for new contributions in the field of characterization and applications of multifunctional nanocomposites. This special issue intends to cover the entire range of basic and applied materials research focusing on rheological characterization, nanoparticle dispersion, and functional properties of polymer nanocomposites for sensors, actuators, and other applications. Fundamental understanding of the effects of processing and nanoparticles on the polymer structure and morphology, their optical, electrical, and mechanical properties as well as novel functions and applications of nanocomposite materials will be the highlights of this special issue. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Solution and melt processing of polymer nanocomposites
• Rheological and thermal characterization of nanocomposites
• Generation of nanofibers using extrusion and electrospinning of nanocomposites
• Processing-induced orientation of nanoparticles
• Quantification of nanoparticle dispersion
• Effect of nanoparticle addition on polymerization
• Nanoparticle functionalization and characterization of properties at polymer-nanoparticle interface
• Novel applications of polymer nanocomposites

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