Nowadays, the self-healing approach in materials science mainly relies on functionalized polymers used as matrices in nanocomposites. Through different physicochemical pathways and stimuli, these materials can undergo self-repairing mechanisms that represent a great advantage to prolonging materials service-life, thus avoiding early disposal. Particularly, the use of the Joule effect as an external stimulus for self-healing in conductive nanocomposites is under-reported in the literature. However, it is of particular importance because it incorporates nanofillers with tunable features thus producing multifunctional materials. The aim of this review is the comprehensive analysis of conductive polymer nanocomposites presenting reversible dynamic bonds and their energetical activation to perform self-healing through the Joule effect.

Exfoliated graphite (ExG) embedded in a polymeric matrix represents an accessible, cost-effective, and sustainable method for generating nanosized graphite-based polymer composites with multifunctional properties. This review article analyzes diverse methods currently used to exfoliate graphite into graphite nanoplatelets, few-layer graphene, and polymer-assisted graphene. It also explores engineered methods for small-scale pilot production of polymer nanocomposites. It highlights the chemistry involved during the graphite intercalation and exfoliation process, particularly emphasizing the interfacial interactions related to steric repulsion forces, van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonds, π-π stacking, and covalent bonds. These interactions promote the dispersion and stabilization of the graphite derivative structures in polymeric matrices. Finally, it compares the enhanced properties of nanocomposites, such as increased thermal and electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications, with those of neat polymer materials.

This study introduces an efficient and scalable method for the top-down exfoliation of graphite into graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) using polyketones (PKs) functionalized with Diels–Alder (DA) active groups. Leveraging the reversible covalent interactions facilitated by furan and thiophene moieties in PK, combined with melt-mixing and shear force, this process achieves significant exfoliation while preserving the structural integrity of the resulting material. Thermal and rheological analyses demonstrate enhanced interfacial adhesion and stability within polymer composites attributed to the DA-driven interactions between functionalized PK and graphite. Comparative evaluations demonstrate that furan-functionalized PK exhibits superior exfoliation efficiency, highlighting its potential for producing high-quality exfoliated graphite suitable for advanced nanocomposite applications that require enhanced thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties. This method seamlessly integrates sustainability with industrial scalability, offering significant advancements in developing GNP-based materials.