Recent progress in low-dimensional nanomaterials filled multifunctional metal matrix nanocomposites

Abstract

Conventional metal matrix composites (MMCs) with particles, whiskers, and fibers as re-inforcements have been developed primarily for structural applications. Despite their long history of progress, however, MMCs exhibit sluggish performance enhancements. Low-dimensional nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, boron nitride nanotubes, boron nitride nanosheets, MXene, and metal dichalcogenides, have emerged as effective nano-sized fillers for developing metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs) to overcome the performance limitations of conventional materials. Although various low-dimensional nanomaterial fillers have been considered as promising candidates for enhancing the multifunctional performance of MMNCs, structural properties of MMNCs filled with 1-D or 2-D nanomaterials have been a major area of research. Taking advantage of the unique properties of low-dimensional nanomaterials, multi-functional MMNCs have exhibited a remarkable trend in the development of advanced materials to meet the complex demands of emerging application areas. In this review, the current state of recent research in the field of 1-D and 2-D nanomaterial-filled MMNCs is discussed. Additionally, we have examined a vast array of fabrication processes for tailoring the microstructures and interfaces of MMNCs. Moreover, discussions on the structural and functional properties, appli-cations, challenges, and future prospects of multifunctional MMNCs filled with low-dimensional nanomaterials have also been presented.