Recent developments in the incorporation of 1D/2D nanofillers in polymer derived ceramics—a review

Polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) have garnered significant attention as a very promising class of materials owing to their unique combination of ceramic-like properties and the inherent processability of polymers. Nanofillers with one- and two-dimensional structures have attracted considerable interest as functional additives in PDCs due to their remarkable electrical, mechanical, thermal, and electrochemical properties. The principal aim of their inclusion in PDC-based composites is to augment the adaptability of the material for a wider range of industrial applications. This review commences by providing a comprehensive analysis of the primary synthesis techniques employed for producing PDCs, emphasizing the significant influence of the pyrolysis conditions in modifying the microstructure and properties of the resulting ceramics. A detailed analysis of the fabrication of PDCs with integrated one-dimensional (1D) nanofillers, such as carbon nanotubes, boron nitride nanotubes, nanowires, and carbon nanofibers, is then provided. This review also focuses on the incorporation of two-dimensional (2D) nanofillers, including graphene, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), MXene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), as well as 2D metal organic frameworks, into PDC matrices. Moreover, the effects of 1D/2D nanofiller addition on the mechanical, thermal, and electrical characteristics of PDC nanocomposites are discussed in detail and related to their microstructural attributes and processing conditions. This review article provides insights for researchers, engineers, and material scientists who are actively engaged in the field of advanced ceramics and nanocomposites with the objective of facilitating the exploration of new horizons in material properties and applications.