Aramid nanofiber-based functional composite materials: Preparations, applications and perspectives

Aramid Nanofibers (ANFs), akin to PPTA Poly (p-phenylene terephthalamide), stand at the forefront of cutting-edge nanomaterials, boasting exceptional properties like high tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, high temperature stability, and chemical stability. Their remarkable advantages have already paved the way for diverse applications in composite materials, energy devices, protection, adsorption, and groundbreaking medical products. Due to the unique properties of ANFs, there has been strong interests in the research community on the functional ANF- based composites and their applications in cutting-edge fields, there has been a lack of comprehensive reviews on the fundamental development and practical applications of ANFs regarding these most recent results (e.g., the last three years). This review aims to fill that void by thoroughly exploring the potential of ANFs. We delve into the preparation methods, uncovering techniques for preparing ANFs with specific properties and morphologies. Additionally, we critically evaluate the fascinating mechanisms driving these extraordinary properties, which stem from their nanoscale dimensions and high aspect ratio. Furthermore, we closely examine the distinct characteristics of ANFs-based composites in various forms, i.e., 1D, 2D, and 3D structure, especially in relevance to their specific applications. Also, this paper discusses the major challenges and future prospects of ANFs composites. This comprehensive review and outlook will inspire readers to gain a better understanding of the latest development status and future research directions of ANFs and ANFs-based materials.