Design and Applications of Nanostructured Polymer Blend and Nanocomposite Systems offers readers an intelligent, thorough introduction to the design and applications of this new generation of designer polymers with customized properties. The book assembles and covers, in a unified way, the state-of-the-art developments of this less explored type of material. With a focus on nanostructured polymer blends, the book discusses the science of nanostructure formation and the potential performance benefits of nanostructured polymer blends and composites for applications across many sectors: electronics, coatings, adhesives, energy (photovoltaics), aerospace, automotive, and medical devices (biocompatible polymers). The book also describes the design, morphology, and structure of nanostructured polymer composites and blends to achieve specific properties. - Covers all important information for designing and selecting the right nanostructured polymer system - Provides specialized knowledge on self-repairing, nanofibre and nanostructured multiphase materials, as well as evaluation and testing of nanostructured polymer systems - Serves as a reference guide for development of new products in industries ranging from electronics, coatings, and energy, to transport and medical applications - Describes the design, morphology, and structure of nanostructured polymer composites and blends to achieve specific properties

Over 30% of commercial polymers are blends or alloys or one kind or another. Nanostructured blends offer the scientist or plastics engineer a new range of possibilities with characteristics including thermodynamic stablility; the potential to improve material transparency, creep and solvent resistance; the potential to simultaneously increase tensile strength and ductility; superior rheological properties; and relatively low cost. Nanostructured Polymer Blends opens up immense structural possibilities via chemical and mechanical modifications that generate novel properties and functions and high-performance characteristics at a low cost. The emerging applications of these new materials cover a wide range of industry sectors, encompassing the coatings and adhesives industry, electronics, energy (photovoltaics), aerospace and medical devices (where polymer blends provide innovations in biocompatible materials). This book explains the science of nanostructure formation and the nature of interphase formations, demystifies the design of nanostructured blends to achieve specific properties, and introduces the applications for this important new class of nanomaterial. All the key topics related to recent advances in blends are covered: IPNs, phase morphologies, composites and nanocomposites, nanostructure formation, the chemistry and structure of additives, etc. - Introduces the science and technology of nanostructured polymer blends – and the procedures involved in melt blending and chemical blending to produce new materials with specific performance characteristics - Unlocks the potential of nanostructured polymer blends for applications across sectors, including electronics, energy/photovoltaics, aerospace/automotive, and medical devices (biocompatible polymers) - Explains the performance benefits in areas including rheological properties, thermodynamic stablility, material transparency, solvent resistance, etc.

Clay–Polymer Nanocomposites is a complete summary of the existing knowledge on this topic, from the basic concepts of synthesis and design to their applications in timely topics such as high-performance composites, environment, and energy issues. This book covers many aspects of synthesis such as in- situ polymerization within the interlamellar spacing of the clays or by reaction of pristine or pre-modified clays with reactive polymers and prepolymers. Indeed, nanocomposites can be prepared at industrial scale by melt mixing. Regardless the synthesis method, much is said in this book about the importance of theclay pre-modification step, which is demonstrated to be effective, on many occasions, in obtaining exfoliated nanocomposites. Clay–Polymer Nanocomposites reports the background to numerous characterization methods including solid state NMR, neutron scattering, diffraction and vibrational techniques as well as surface analytical methods, namely XPS, inverse gas chromatography and nitrogen adsorption to probe surface composition, wetting and textural/structural properties. Although not described in dedicated chapters, numerous X-ray diffraction patterns of clay–polymer nanocomposites and reference materials are displayed to account for the effects of intercalation and exfoliations of layered aluminosilicates. Finally, multiscale molecular simulation protocols are presenting for predicting morphologies and properties of nanostructured polymer systems with industrial relevance. As far as applications are concerned, Clay–Polymer Nanocomposites examines structural composites such as clay–epoxy and clay–biopolymers, the use of clay–polymer nanocomposites as reactive nanocomposite fillers, catalytic clay-(conductive) polymers and similar nanocomposites for the uptake of hazardous compounds or for controlled drug release, antibacterial applications, energy storage, and more. - The most comprehensive coverage of the state of the art in clay–polymer nanocomposites, from synthesis and design to opportunities and applications - Covers the various methods of characterization of clay–polymer nanocomposites - including spectroscopy, thermal analyses, and X-ray diffraction - Includes a discussion of a range of application areas, including biomedicine, energy storage, biofouling resistance, and more

Poly(vinyl chloride)-Based Blends, IPNs, and Gels brings together the latest research on the blending of PVC, covering processing, materials, properties, and applications. This book addresses these challenges and highlights the state-of-the-art in the field, such as the development of eco-friendly micro and nanostructured functional materials based on PVC and advances in experimental and theoretical studies of PVC based-polymer blends. This is a valuable resource for researchers and advanced students in polymer science, chemistry, composite science, and materials science and engineering, as well as R&D professionals, engineers, and scientists working with advanced PVC-based materials across a range of industries. - Offers methodical, in-depth coverage of PVC-based blends, IPNs, and gels with each polymer type - Explains advanced methods for PVC-based materials with improved properties for a range of novel applications - Provides avenues for improved sustainability, discussing PVC from biomass, life cycle, recycling, and other environmental considerations

Micro and Nano Fibrillar Composites (MFCs and NFCs) from Polymer Blends is a comprehensive reference for researchers, students and scientists working in the field of plastics recycling and composites. The book aims to determine the influence of micro and nanofibrillar morphology on the properties of immiscible blend systems. Chapters cover micro and nanofibrillar composites based on polyolefin, liquid crystal polymer, biodegradable polymers, polyester and polyamide blends in various industrial application fields. The book brings together panels of highly-accomplished experts in the field of plastics recycling, blends and composites systems. For several decades, plastic technology has played an important role in many industrial applications, such as packaging, automobiles, aerospace and construction. However the increasing use of plastics creates a lot of waste. This has led to restrictions on the use of some plastics for certain applications and a drive towards recycling of plastics. More recently, microfibrillar in-situ composites have been prepared from waste plastics such as PET/PP, PET/PE and Nylon/PP as a way of formulating new high performance polymer systems. This book tackles these issues and more, and is an ideal resource for anyone interested in polymer blends. - Provides information on MFC and NFC based polymer blends that have been accumulated over the last 25 years, providing a useful reference - Adopts a novel approach in terms of understanding the relationship between processing, morphology, structure, properties and applications in micro and nanofibrillar composites - Contains contributions from leading experts in the field from both industrial and academic research

Biodegradable and Biocompatible Polymer Nanocomposites: Processing, Characterization, and Applications brings together the latest research, highlighting cutting-edge applications in this exciting field. Sections introduce biodegradable and biocompatible polymers and the fundamentals regarding synthesis, structure, properties, biocompatibility and biodegradability, provide in-depth coverage of methods and techniques for processing, spectroscopic and microscopic analysis, dielectric, thermal, and electrical conductivity, and incorporation of functionalized nanoparticles, and green synthesized nanoparticles. The second part of the book guides the reader through the properties and preparation of biodegradable and biocompatible polymer nanocomposites for a range of specific, targeted, state-of-the-art applications across biomedicine, electronic, energy storage, environment and packaging. Finally, sustainability assessment, environmental impact, and recycling strategies are discussed in detail. - Provides detailed methods for green synthesis, polymer modification, processing and analysis - Explores novel applications across biomedicine, electronics, energy storage, the environment and packaging - Examines key issues, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, recycling strategies and measuring environmental impact

Conducting Polymer-Based Nanocomposites: Fundamentals and Applications delivers an up-to-date overview on cutting-edge advancements in the field of nanocomposites derived from conjugated polymeric matrices. Design of conducting polymers and resultant nanocomposites has instigated significant addition in the field of modern nanoscience and technology. Recently, conducting polymer-based nanocomposites have attracted considerable academic and industrial research interest. The conductivity and physical properties of conjugated polymers have shown dramatic improvement with nanofiller addition. Appropriate fabrication strategies and the choice of a nanoreinforcement, along with a conducting matrix, may lead to enhanced physicochemical features and material performance. Substantial electrical conductivity, optical features, thermal stability, thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, and other physical properties of the conducting polymer-based nanocomposites have led to high-performance materials and high-tech devices and applications. This book begins with a widespread impression of state-of-the-art knowledge in indispensable features and processing of conducting polymer-based nanocomposites. It then discusses essential categories of conducting polymer-based nanocomposites such as polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene, and derived nanomaterials. Subsequent sections of this book are related to the potential impact of conducting polymer-based nanocomposites in various technical fields. Significant application areas have been identified for anti-corrosion, EMI shielding, sensing, and energy device relevance. Finally, the book covers predictable challenges and future opportunities in the field of conjugated nanocomposites. - Integrates the fundamentals of conducting polymers and a range of multifunctional applications - Describes categories of essential conducting polymer-based nanocomposites for polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene, and derivative materials - Assimilates the significance of multifunctional nanostructured materials of nanocomposite nanofibers - Portrays current and future demanding technological applications of conjugated polymer-based nanocomposites, including anti-corrosion coatings, EMI shielding, sensors, and energy production and storage devices