Dispersion of nanoparticles in a polymeric matrix

A method for stably dispersing nanoparticles of a material in a curable polymer, the method comprising: a) providing a curable thermoplastic pre-polymer; b) providing particles of the material; and c) compounding the curable pre-polymer and the particles at a compounding temperature sufficiently high to obtain a curable melt mixture and sufficiently low for the curable melt mixture to develop a pre-determined viscosity upon compounding. The compounding is performed by applying a shear force to the heated curable melt mixture, whereby nanoparticles are formed from the particles, the viscosity of the melt being such that the nanoparticles remain dispersed in the mixture. Preferably, the thermoplastic pre-polymer is chosen from shellacs, rosins, acrylics, epoxy, phenol resins, polyurethanes, silicone resins. The particles to be dispersed are chosen from metals, metal oxides, alloys, ceramics and pigments. Preferably, the melt mixture contains no solvent.