By definition, the previous answer is almost appropriate, depending on the field considered. In France the definition of nanocomposite is a multiphased solid material which has one of its phase inferior to 100 nm in size. It can only exist with two metals when then can't lead to a bulk alloy under the circumstances of synthesis or use.

So to answer your question: no, if the considered phases don't have any physico-chemical interactions leading it to be a unique solid, it can't be a nanocomposite. In case of catalyst where different metal nanoparticles are scattered onto a support we use generally the word catalyst by "decoration" (lost in translation I guess, but equivalent to "aesthetically scattered").

I think, there would be always some interaction at the Interface.

Regards,

Andriy

Nano composite in rigorous sense can only be said when two or more than two different material either they diffused into each other (their lattice fuse together) and make something new or they at least join together by some kind of chemical bonding(core-shell) type.Otherwise it is just a mixture consist of different nanoparticles and they will hardly show any remarkable property.

By definition, the previous answer is almost appropriate, depending on the field considered. In France the definition of nanocomposite is a multiphased solid material which has one of its phase inferior to 100 nm in size. It can only exist with two metals when then can't lead to a bulk alloy under the circumstances of synthesis or use.

So to answer your question: no, if the considered phases don't have any physico-chemical interactions leading it to be a unique solid, it can't be a nanocomposite. In case of catalyst where different metal nanoparticles are scattered onto a support we use generally the word catalyst by "decoration" (lost in translation I guess, but equivalent to "aesthetically scattered").

Thank you Professors for your answers. I do appreciate your interest.

Best regards,

Mostafa

Dear Professor Remy Christophe Sellin,

Well, I agree with you. Then, what about the definition of nanohybrids?

What do you think the differences between nanocomposites and nanohybrids in nanomaterials Science?

Thank you so much for your time and interest.

Best regards,

Mostafa

I'm afraid I am not Professor. But thank you for the compliment Mr Nassar =).

Well, regarding the nano-hybrid / nano-composite couple, the first difference striking me is that nano-hybrid is etymologically more correct than nano-composite, as it is formed by two Greek roots, whereas nano-composite is one of these neologisms with one Greek root (nano) and one Latin root (composite). The most famous example of such a root mixture within neologisms is "television" - (tele=far in Greek, videre=see in Latin).

So, basically, to answer your question, I would say that nano-hybrid is a larger bag including the nano-composite and most of the time, identifying with it. Synonyms if you prefer, as long as the material concerned is solid :-) but nano-hybrid could include nano-fluids for example.

I am really sensitive to these kind of etymologies as my mother tongue, French (nobody's perfect =) ), has roughly 70% of Latin roots and 30% of former Greek ones (and that I've studied in a far far past these two dead languages). Btw I also enjoyed exchanging personally with some of your Iranian scientist colleagues in New York, Nancy and Manchester, and learned some rudimentary Farsi words, and I know that your co-citizen and mine have real interest and talent in foreign language understanding.

I can just hope that my answer was understandable, sharp and not too long. Have a good night

Firstly (for Mostafa Y. Nassar), I am amazed by the clear separation of chemical and physical interaction. Example: when adsorbed oxygen on the metal surface becomes an oxide film? Certainly, the extreme states can be divided speculatively. However, in reality, not everything is so obvious. It makes sense to switch from theoretical models to nature more precisely.

Secondly, let us not invent terms (Remy Christophe Sellin). The “composition” in material science is known and defined. Is term “nanohybrid” yours? Is it generally accepted? Is it well defined? Does it give us knowledge that is more precise? Entities are not to be multiplied without necessity (Ockham)! There are some differences exist between the material science of and etymology. The commonly accepted term is better than individual, even justified as yours. At least, because it is understandable for everybody.

In my opinion, Lotnyk’s answer is most correct, although very short. If multiphase composition exists, it cannot fail to interact at the phase boundary. Determining what this interaction is, how it affects the macro properties of composition is a scientific task.

Dear Vadim,

I completely agree with you. However, these two terms are interchangeable in the literature. In our previous discussion, a researcher posted the following good link and I found it useful.

Article ChemInform Abstract: Tailoring Nanohybrids and Nanocomposite...

However, it is still unclear and the researchers still use both terms interchangeably as if they have the same physical and chemical meaning. I myself use nanocomposite in my papers.

Thank you so much for your fruitful discussion.

All the best,

Mostafa

Dear Mostafa Y Nassar,

Nanocomposites are nanomaterials that incorporate nano-sized particles into a matrix of standard material. The result of the addition of NPs is a drastic improvement in properties that can include mechanical strength, toughness and electrical or thermal conductivity. The effectiveness of the NPs is such that the amount of material added is normally only between 0.5 and 5% by weight.

There is no ambiguity in saying this that all of the components within the Nanocomposites exhibits strong molecular interactions. For better understandings i suggest you to study the following.

Article Zinc impregnated cellulose nanocomposites: Synthesis, charac...

In above link you would see that how we have developed the nanocomposites of Amorphous and Crystalline Nano-materials.

-ALL THE BEST-

Dear Qaisar Maqbool

Thank you so much for your good sharing.

All the best,

Mostafa

Interesting terminology discussion. Thanks to all participants and to Mostafa personally for its initiation. While the term nanocomposite is used much more frequently, we can find in literature also quite a lot of examples of the term nanohybrid and even a combination "nanohybrid composite" or "nanohybrid nanocomposite". As to me I would agreed with Remy Christophe that nanohybrid term is wider than nanocomposite one. One more example of a nanohybrid: a nanoscale layer of an organic material over another nanoscale inorganic layer.

Dear Professor Alexander Pud,

Thank you so much for your contribution. I do appreciate that.

All the best

Mostafa

in fact, the physical interactions at the interfaces in nanocomposites (between the nanocomposite matrix and the dispersed nanosized particles) are the major forces determining the properties of any nanocomposite (sure, also the original properties like chemical resistance or reactivity also play a role, but the physical interactions are overwhelming).

The most important property due to these interactions is that any nanocomposite (thermodynamically spoken) has become a non-equilibrium system.