Functionally graded nanocomposite materials (FGNMs) have been known since the 1980s, although nanocomposite materials date back to the space race era of the 1960s. FGNMs are defined as materials in which the chemical and structural composition changes over their entire volume. Today, due to our current understanding, technology, and control over the nanostructure of materials, we can tune these properties at the nanoscale. Although FGNM applications have mostly focused on protective coatings, they have performed well in catalysis and hydrogen production applications. In this article, FGNMs are presented in a new light beyond their well-established applicability as protective coatings. This article focuses on the synergistic potential among mechanical/tribological properties and competitive catalytic performance, with special emphasis on energy and remediation applications. Also, ways by which the rational design and tailoring of catalytic properties can be achieved by means of FGNMs are described.

自1980年代以来，功能梯度纳米复合材料（FGNM）就已广为人知，尽管纳米复合材料的历史可以追溯到1960年代的太空竞赛时代。FGNM被定义为化学和结构组成在其整个体积上发生变化的材料。今天，由于我们当前对材料纳米结构的了解，技术和控制，我们可以在纳米级调整这些特性。尽管FGNM的应用主要集中在防护涂料上，但它们在催化和制氢应用中表现良好。在本文中，FGNMs以其既定的作为保护性涂料的适用性而以新的方式呈现。本文重点介绍机械/摩擦学性能和竞争性催化性能之间的协同潜力，特别强调能源和修复应用。而且，描述了可以通过FGNM实现合理设计和调整催化性能的方法。