The metalic, ceramic or carbon-based nanoparticles are of great interest in terms of their potential applications in biomedical, electronic, and optical
materials. The incorporation of these nanoparticles in polymer matrices is a field of particular interest for materials engineering and the study of nanoparticle-matrix interactions.

The process of dispersing nanoparticles in a polymer matrix so that they remain isolated (i.e., dispersed) has proven to be problematic. Three general methods to prepare metal nanoparticle-polymer composites have been reported. The first involves the in situ synthesis of nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. the second approach consists of polymerizing the matrix around the nanoparticles. the third method involves the incorporation of nanoparticles in molten polymer using extrusion processes.

However, the goal for obtaining nanocomposites with synergistic properties, mainly depends of the dispersion degree of the nanoparticles.

Many reports guarantee that the incorporation of funcionalized nanoparticles is the better method. But, the results in semicrystalline polymers do not share the same opinion. What about the physical character of the polymer matrix?
What is the tendence in this area?
What new methods have been proved?
What about the enviromental impact of these methods?

I will hope yours comments.