Covering a broad range of polymer science topics, Handbook of Polymer Synthesis, Characterization, and Processing provides polymer industry professionals and researchers in polymer science and technology with a single, comprehensive handbook summarizing all aspects involved in the polymer production chain. The handbook focuses on industrially important polymers, analytical techniques, and formulation methods, with chapters covering step-growth, radical, and co-polymerization, crosslinking and grafting, reaction engineering, advanced technology applications, including conjugated, dendritic, and nanomaterial polymers and emulsions, and characterization methods, including spectroscopy, light scattering, and microscopy.

This handbook focuses on physical, structural, and compositional properties of elastomeric materials and plastics. It provides a broad overview of the physical and physicochemical properties of synthetic rubbers that are used in conventional cured applications.

Scientists are conducting active research in different fields of engineering, science and technology by adopting the Green Chemistry Principles and methodologies to devise new processes, with a view to help protect and ultimately save the environment from further anthropogenic interruptions and damage. With this in mind, the book provides an up-to-date, coherently written and objectively presented set of chapters from eminent international researchers who are actively involved in academic and technological research in the synthesis, (bio)degradation, testing and applications of biodegradable polymers and biopolymers. This pool of the latest ideas, recent research and technological progress, together with a high level of thinking with a comprehensive perspective, makes the emerging field of biodegradable polymer science and engineering (or bio-based polymers) linked to environmental sustainability, the essence of this key publication. The handbook consists of chapters written and contributed by international experts from academia who are world leaders in research and technology in sustainability and biopolymer and biodegradable polymer synthesis, characterisation, testing and use. The book highlights the following areas: green polymers; biopolymers and bionanocomposites; biodegradable and injectable polymers; biodegradable polyesters; synthesis and physical properties; discovery and characterization of biopolymers; degradable bioelastomers, lactic acid based biodegradable polymers; enzymatic degradation of biodegradable polymers; biodegradation of polymers in the composting environment; recent development in biodegradable polymers; research and applications and biodegradable foams. The book is aimed at technical, research-orientated and marketing people in industry, universities and institutions. It will also be of value to the worldwide public interested in sustainability issues and biopolymer development as well as others interested in the practical means that are being used to reduce the environmental impacts of chemical processes and products, to further eco-efficiency, and to advance the utilization of renewable resources for a bio-based production and supplier chain. Readers will gain a comprehensive and consolidated overview of the immense potential and ongoing research in bio-based and biodegradable polymer science, engineering and technology to make the world greener.

The discovery of fullerenes, a new allotropic modification of carbon, is a prominent achievement of the late 20th century in chemistry. In this book, the authors present topical research in the study of the synthesis, properties and applications of fullerene. Topics discussed include phase equilibria in the fullerene-containing system; ionic compounds of fullerenes obtained by synthesis in solution; symmetrical features of fullerene structures in the fundamental domains theory of point symmetry groups; the biomedical application of fullerene; metal complex catalysts in the chemistry of fullerenes; functionalised nanofullerenes for hydrogen storage; self-assembly properties of fullerenes; and, the radiation induced phenomena in fullerenes.

This text describes how plastics, rubber, and fibers are synthesized, processed into useful materials, characterized, and compounded with fillers and other additives to improve performance for specific applications. Their use in a wide variety of technologies including membrane separations, electronics, and energy production and storage is described. A new chapter in the Third Edition shows how computer correlations and simulations can be used to predict properties of new plastics and to better understand how existing plastics perform.

This volume is concerned with the structural and physical properties of important classes of composite and ceramic materials of engineering importance, covering synthesis of the materials by casting and solidification routes.