Nanocomposite technology offers the ability to manipulate polymers by introducing nanoparticles into the polymer matrix to increase the final material's mechanical performance. The inorganic-WS₂ nanoparticles (INP) effect all the nanocomposite properties, i.e. increase strength, strain and toughness along with improvement of the tribological and thermal properties. Layered structure, nanosize, needle-like or spherical morphology, high aspect ratio of INT , high impact resistance and good tribology are the properties of the materials which should be used as fillers to show the best results in strengthening of polymers. All these are the intrinsic properties of WS₂ nanoparticles and nanotubes, which are in addition show good dispersion and good adhesion to polymers, indicating on chemical compatibility and creation of chemical bonds between WS₂ surface and polymer. Combination of all these properties served as guaranty for the best performance. A number of works published recently regarding to composites with WS₂ nanoparticles and nanotubes confirm these statements. 

Reinforcing of polymers by inorganic nanoparticles 

Inorganic NanoParticles

• Inorganic WS₂ fullerene-like (IF) spherical nanoparticles - “NanoLub^® RL ”
• Inorganic WS₂ nanotubes (INT) - “INT 15-100 ” use as filler for nanocomposites to strengthen polymers and improve their tribological properties.

• Layered structure of WS₂
• Nanosize
• High aspect ratio of INT
• Niddle-like morphology
• Spherical shape of fullerenes
• High cristallinity provide good mechanical properties
• Tungsten disulfide surface creates chemical bonding with polymer matrix
• High modulus
• High impact resistance
• Low friction

• Nanosize of filler decreases local stress concentrations in polymer
• Inclusion of  nanoparticles in polymer matrices improve strength and toughness of  the polymers without sacrificing other mechanical and thermal properties
• Significant improvement with small amounts of filler (<1wt.%), small amount of fillers means gain in weight

Advantages of surface chemistry
Good dispersion and good adhesion to polymer. One of the most important task of using nanopowders is to disperse them. INP have an advantage to be easily dispersed in polymer media due to their special chemical and physical properties. Instructions for mixing procedure, concentrations and other parameters are supported. 

Improve properties of bulk polymers

• Improve toughness and strain up to 100%
• Increase temperature of decomposition (TGA) by 50-60°C
• Increase glass transition temperature by 6-20^ºC
• Decrease coefficient of friction and wear by ~6 times