Self-healing is a well-known phenomenon in nature: a broken bone merges after some time and if skin is damaged, the wound will stop bleeding and heals again. This concept can be mimicked in order to create polymeric materials with the ability to regenerate after they have suffered degradation or wear. Already realized applications are used in aerospace engineering, and current research in this fascinating field shows how different self-healing mechanisms proven successful by nature can be adapted to produce even more versatile materials. The book combines the knowledge of an international panel of experts in the field and provides the reader with chemical and physical concepts for self-healing polymers, including aspects of biomimetic processes of healing in nature. It shows how to design self-healing polymers and explains the dynamics in these systems. Different self-healing concepts such as encapsulated systems and supramolecular systems are detailed. Chapters on analysis and friction detection in self-healing polymers and on applications round off the book.

Undoubtedly the applications of polymers are rapidly evolving. Technology is continually changing and quickly advancing as polymers are needed to solve a variety of day-to-day challenges leading to improvements in quality of life. The Encyclopedia of Polymer Applications presents state-of-the-art research and development on the applications of polymers. This groundbreaking work provides important overviews to help stimulate further advancements in all areas of polymers. This comprehensive multi-volume reference includes articles contributed from a diverse and global team of renowned researchers. It offers a broad-based perspective on a multitude of topics in a variety of applications, as well as detailed research information, figures, tables, illustrations, and references. The encyclopedia provides introductions, classifications, properties, selection, types, technologies, shelf-life, recycling, testing and applications for each of the entries where applicable. It features critical content for both novices and experts including, engineers, scientists (polymer scientists, materials scientists, biomedical engineers, macromolecular chemists), researchers, and students, as well as interested readers in academia, industry, and research institutions.

Diazonium compounds are employed as a new class of coupling agents to link polymers, biomacromolecules, and other species (e. g. metallic nanoparticles) to the surface of materials. The resulting high performance materials show improved chemical and physical properties and find widespread applications. The advantage of aryl diazonium salts compared to other surface modifiers lies in their ease of preparation, rapid (electro)reduction, large choice of reactive functional groups, and strong aryl-surface covalent bonding. This unique book summarizes the current knowledge of the surface and interface chemistry of aryl diazonium salts. It covers fundamental aspects of diazonium chemistry together with theoretical calculations of surface-molecule bonding, analytical methods used for the characterization of aryl layers, as well as important applications in the field of electrochemistry, nanotechnology, biosensors, polymer coatings and materials science. Furthermore, information on other surface modifiers (amines, silanes, hydrazines, iodonium salts) is included. This collection of 14 self-contained chapters constitutes a valuable book for PhD students, academics and industrial researchers working on this hot topic.

Inorganic-Whisker-Reinforced Polymer Composites: Synthesis, Properties and Applications gives a comprehensive presentation of inorganic microcrystalline fibers, or whiskers, a polymer composite filler. It covers whisker synthesis, surface modification, applications for reinforcing polymer-matrix composites, and analysis of resulting filled polymer

Polymer-Based Nanocomposites for Energy and Environmental Applications provides a comprehensive and updated review of major innovations in the field of polymer-based nanocomposites for energy and environmental applications. It covers properties and applications, including the synthesis of polymer based nanocomposites from different sources and tactics on the efficacy and major challenges associated with successful scale-up fabrication. The chapters provide cutting-edge, up-to-date research findings on the use of polymer based nanocomposites in energy and environmental applications, while also detailing how to achieve material's characteristics and significant enhancements in physical, chemical, mechanical and thermal properties. It is an essential reference for future research in polymer based nanocomposites as topics such as sustainable, recyclable and eco-friendly methods for highly innovative and applied materials are current topics of importance. - Covers a wide range of research on polymer based nanocomposites - Provides updates on the most relevant polymer based nanocomposites and their prodigious potential in the fields of energy and the environment - Demonstrates systematic approaches and investigations from the design, synthesis, characterization and applications of polymer based nanocomposites - Presents a useful reference and technical guide for university academics and postgraduate students (Masters and Ph.D.)

An all-in-one reference work covering the essential principles and techniques on thermal behavior and response of polymeric materials This book delivers a detailed understanding of the thermal behavior of polymeric materials evaluated by thermal analysis methods. It covers the most widely applied principles which are used in method development to substantiate what happens upon heating of polymers. It also reviews the key application areas of polymers in materials science. Edited by two experts in the field, the book covers a wide range of specific topics within the aforementioned categories of discussion, such as: Crucial thermal phenomena - glass transition, crystallization behavior and curing kinetics Polymeric materials that have gained considerable interest over the last decade The latest advancements in techniques related to the field, such as modulated temperature DSC and fast scanning calorimetry The recent advances in hyphenated techniques and their applications Polymer chemists, chemical engineers, materials scientists, and process engineers can use this comprehensive reference work to gain clarity on the topics discussed within and learn how to harness them in practical applications across a wide range of disciplines.

A one-stop resource for researchers and developers alike, this book covers a plethora of nanocomposite properties and their enhancement mechanisms. With contributors from industry as well as academia, each chapter elucidates in detail the mechanisms to achieve a certain functionality of the polymer nanocomposite, such as improved biodegradability, increased chemical resistance and tribological performance. Special emphasis is laid on the interdependence of the factors that affect the nanocomposite properties such that readers obtain the information necessary to synthesize the polymer materials according to the requirements of their respective applications.