Carbon-Based Nanocomposites: Processing, Electronic Properties and Applications

The last two decades have witnessed a large volume of research revolving around structure–property correlation in carbon-based nanocomposites, synthesized by several methods. The electronic properties of carbon-based nanocomposites vary mainly as a function of the kind of reinforcement, method of synthesis, and structure-dependent parameter. The structure-dependent parameter is highly influenced by the reinforcement and method of synthesis and plays a vital role in determining the ionic and electronic transport phenomenon in these materials. In other words, the interaction between electrons and the equilibrium 0-D (point) defects, along with different types of 2-D interfaces, plays an imperative function in the understanding of electronic properties, apart from the physical and chemical properties of these materials. The present chapter offers a concise overview of the state of the art on research and detailed discussions on some recent developments in understanding the electronic properties of some conventional carbon-based nanocomposites (synthesized by different techniques) based on the structure–property correlation in these materials. Finally, some of the significant challenges in this field have been addressed from industrial and fundamental viewpoints.