Research on applications of polymers for biomedical applications has increased dramatically to find improved medical plastics for this rapidly evolving field. This book brings together various aspects of recent research and developments within academia and industry related to polymers for biomedical applications.

This book overviews methods for the synthesis of metal-containing monomers with various types of metal bonds to the organic moiety of the molecule, such as ionic, covalent, donor-acceptor, and others. Published data on homopolymerization, copolymerization, and graft polymerization of these monomers are generalized. Synthesis and Polymerization of Metal-Containing Monomers discusses features typical of the molecular and structural organization of the resulting metal-containing polymers, their properties and the associated major applications, such as catalytical and biological activity, electrophysical characteristics, and thermal resistance.

The development of the field of synthetic metal-containing polymers - where metal atoms form an integral part of the main chain or side group structure of a polymer - aims to create new materials which combine the processability of organic polymers with the physical or chemical characteristics associated with the metallic element or complex. This book covers the major developments in the synthesis, properties, and applications of synthetic metal-containing macromolecules, and includes chapters on the preparation and characterization of metal-containing polymers, metallocene-based polymers, rigid-rod organometallic polymers, coordination polymers, polymers containing main group metals, and also covers dendritic and supramolecular systems. The book describes both polymeric materials with metals in the main chain or side group structure and covers the literature up to the end of 2002.

A unique guide to an essential area of nanoscience Interest in nano-sized metals has increased greatly due to theirspecial characteristics and suitability for a number of advancedapplications. As technology becomes more refined-including theability to effectively manipulate and stabilize metals at thenanoscale-these materials present ever-more workable solutions to agrowing range of problems. Metal-Polymer Nanocomposites provides the first guidesolely devoted to the unique properties and applications of thisessential area of nanoscience. It offers a truly multidisciplinaryapproach, making the text accessible to readers in physical,chemical, and materials science as well as areas such asengineering and topology. The thorough coverage includes: The chemical and physical properties of nano-sized metals Different approaches to the synthesis of metal-polymernanocomposites (MPN) Advanced characterization techniques and methods for study ofMPN Real-world applications, including color filters, polarizers,optical sensors, nonlinear optical devices, and more An extensive list of references on the topics covered A unique, cutting-edge resource for a vital area of nanosciencedevelopment, Metal-Polymer Nanocomposites is an invaluabletext for students and practitioners of materials science,engineering, polymer science, chemical engineering, electricalengineering, and optics.

Organometallic Polymers focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and potential applications of organometallic polymers. The discussion is organized around seven themes: vinyl polymerization of organometallic monomers; condensation polymerization of organometallic monomers; polymer-bound catalysts; applications of organotin polymers; developments in organosilicon polymers; phosphonitrile and sulfur nitride polymers; and coordination polymers. This book is comprised of 33 chapters and begins with a general review of polymerized vinyl monomers containing transition metals, as well as the reactivity of such monomers in addition to homo- and copolymerizations. The following chapters explore the participation of the ferrocene nucleus in the polymerization of vinylferrocene and its effect on polymer properties; thermomechanical transitions of ferrocene-containing polymers; photocrosslinkable organometallic polyesters; and supported catalysts for ethylene polymerization. The remaining sections discuss antifouling applications of various tin-containing organometallic polymers; structure and applications of polyphosphazenes and polymeric sulfur nitride; and coordination of inorganic ions to polymers. This monograph will be a useful resource for organic chemists and research workers in the field.

Research on metal-containing polymers began in the early 1960's when several workers found that vinyl ferrocene and other vinylic transition metal TI -complexes would undergo polymerization under the same conditions as conventional organic monomers to form high polymers which incorporated a potentially reactive metal as an integral part of the polymer structures. Some of these materials could act as semi conductors and possessed one or two dimensional conductivity. Thus applications in electronics could be visualized immediately. Other workers found that reactions used to make simple metal chelates could be used to prepare polymers if the ligands were designed properly. As interest in homogeneous catalysts developed in the late 60's and early 70's, several investigators began binding homogeneous catalysts onto polymers, where the advantage of homogeneous catalysis - known reaction mechanisms and the advantage of heterogeneous catalysis - simplicity and ease of recovery of catalysts could both be obtained. Indeed the polymer matrix itself often enhanced the selectivity of the catalyst. The first symposium on Organometallic Polymers, held at the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in September 1977, attracted a large number of scientists interested in this field, both established investigators and newcomers. Subsequent symposia in 1977, 1979, 1983, and 1987 have seen the field mature. Hundreds of papers and patents have been published.

This first book on this important and emerging topic presents an overview of the very latest results obtained in single-chain polymer nanoparticles obtained by folding synthetic single polymer chains, painting a complete picture from synthesis via characterization to everyday applications. The initial chapters describe the synthetics methods as well as the molecular simulation of these nanoparticles, while subsequent chapters discuss the analytical techniques that are applied to characterize them, including size and structural characterization as well as scattering techniques. The final chapters are then devoted to the practical applications in nanomedicine, sensing, catalysis and several other uses, concluding with a look at the future for such nanoparticles. Essential reading for polymer and materials scientists, materials engineers, biochemists as well as environmental chemists.