Interlaminer reinforced composite structures

1. A laminar composite, comprising at least one interlaminar reinforced interface comprising a dispersion of binding-agent-treated low-dimensional nanoparticles fixed between two adjacent lamina of a laminar composite by residues of the binding-agent-treated low-dimensional nanoparticles, wherein the binding-agent-treated low-dimensional nanoparticles comprise low-dimensional nanoparticles and binding agents that are small molecules, each of the binding agents comprising at least one functionality that binds to the low-dimensional nanoparticles and at least one functionality that binds to a matrix of the two adjacent lamina, wherein the low-dimensional nanoparticles are a metal, a metal alloy, a ceramic, or a glass and wherein the ceramic or the glass comprise a metal oxide, metal calcogenide, metal nitride, metal phosphide, metal arsenide, metal boride, metal silicide, or metal carbide.

2. The laminar composite of claim 1 , wherein the low-dimensional nanoparticles comprise one-dimensional nanoparticles having a length to diameter ratio of three or greater and wherein the length is 300 nm to 10 μm.

3. The laminar composite of claim 2 , wherein the low-dimensional nanoparticles comprise nanowires, nanofibers, nanotubes, nanoneedles, or nanobelts.

4. The laminar composite of claim 1 , wherein the low-dimensional nanoparticles comprise two-dimensional nanoparticles having a cross-section to thickness ratio of three or greater and wherein the cross-section is 300 nm to 10 μm.

5. The laminar composite of claim 4 , wherein the two-dimensional nanoparticles comprise nanoplates or nanodiscs.

6. The laminar composite of claim 1 , wherein the metal oxide is ZnO.

7. The laminar composite of claim 1 , wherein the binding agents is glycine and/or other amino acid.

8. The laminar composite of claim 1 , wherein the functionality that binds to the low-dimensional nanoparticles is a carboxylic acid, a sulfonic acid, a sulfinic acid, a silane, a titanate, an amine, or a metal chelating ligand.

9. The laminar composite of claim 1 , wherein the functionality that binds to the matrix is amino, hydroxy, thiol, carboxylic acid, ester, anhydride, vinyl, epoxy, isocyanate, or functional silane.

10. A method of forming a laminar composite according to claim 1 , comprising:

providing a plurality of prepreg sheets comprising a resin;

depositing a solution or suspension comprising the binding-agent-treated low-dimensional nanoparticles in a liquid on at least one surface of at least one of the plurality of prepreg sheets to form a nanoparticle-comprising surface;

optionally removing the liquid from the nanoparticle-comprising surface;

laying-up the plurality of prepreg sheets;

laminating the plurality of prepreg sheets under pressure to form an intimate interface between adjacent prepreg sheets; and

curing the resin, wherein a laminar composite is formed where the interface between at least two lamina of the laminar composite is reinforced by the binding-agent-treated low-dimensional nanoparticles.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the binding-agent-treated low-dimensional nanoparticles comprise ZnO nanowires treated with binding agents comprising glycine or other amino acid, and the liquid comprises methanol or other volatile solvent.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein depositing comprises spray coating, dip coating, or roller coating.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein removing the liquid comprises heating of the nanoparticle-comprising surface, passage of a gas through a volume situated adjacent to the nanoparticle-comprising surface, or evacuating a volume situated adjacent to the nanoparticle-comprising surface.

14. A method of forming a laminar composite according to claim 1 , comprising:

providing a plurality of prepreg sheets comprising a resin, wherein a plurality of the binding-agent-treated low-dimensional nanoparticles comprising the metal oxide and the plurality of the binding agents is dispersed within the plurality of prepreg sheets;

laying-up the plurality of prepreg sheets;

laminating the plurality of prepreg sheets under pressure to form an intimate interface between adjacent prepreg sheets; and

curing the resin, wherein a laminar composite is formed where the intimate interface between at least two lamina of the laminar composite is reinforced by the binding-agent-treated low-dimensional nanoparticles.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the metal oxide is ZnO.