This series presents critical reviews of the present and future trends in polymer and biopolymer science including chemistry, physical chemistry, physics and materials science. It is addressed to all scientists at universities and in industry who wish to keep abreast of advances in the topics covered.

Impact Factor Ranking: Always number one in Polymer Science. More information as well as the electronic version of the whole content available at: www.springerlink.com

Molecular Characterization of Polymers presents a range of advanced and cutting-edge methods for the characterization of polymers at the molecular level, guiding the reader through theory, fundamentals, instrumentation, and applications, and supporting the end goal of efficient material selection and improved material performance. Each chapter focuses on a specific technique or family of techniques, including the different areas of chromatography, field flow fractionation, long chain branching, static and dynamic light scattering, mass spectrometry, NMR, X-Ray and neutron scattering, polymer dilute solution viscometry, microscopy, and vibrational spectroscopy. In each case, in-depth coverage explains how to successfully implement and utilize the technique. This practical resource is highly valuable to researchers and advanced students in polymer science, materials science, and engineering, and to those from other disciplines and industries who are unfamiliar with polymer characterization techniques.

Reviewing over 100 chemical and physical methods for analysis of polymers, Manual of Plastics Analysis is so detailed and comprehensive that chemists can apply the methods - many previously unpublished - directly from the book. A genuine laboratory manual, the volume supplies prodigious amounts of up-to-date information on all types of polymers, polymer additives, volatiles, adventitious impurities, monomers, metals, and pigments. Extremely well-suited for classroom teaching, research, or industrial applications, the book contains numerous tables and figures, as well as many chemical equations illustrating its analytical techniques.

Colloid-polymer mixtures are subject of intensive research due to their wide range of applicability, for instance in coatings and food-stuffs. This thesis constitutes a fundamental investigation towards a better control over the stability of such suspensions. Through the chapters, different key parameters governing the stability of colloid-polymer mixtures are explored. How the colloid (pigment) shape and the effective polymer-colloid affinity modulate the stability of the suspension are examples of these key parameters. Despise the mostly theoretical results presented, the thesis is written in a format accessible to a broad scientific audience. Some of the equations of state presented might of direct use to experimentalists. Furthermore, new theoretical insights about colloid-polymer mixtures are put forward. These include four-phase coexistences in effective two-component, quantification of depletant partitioning at high colloidal concentrations, multiple re-entrant phase behaviour of the colloidal fluid-solid coexistence, and a condition where polymers are neither depleted nor adsorbed from/to the colloidal surface.

This book covers the latest advances in polymer-inorganic nanocomposites, with particular focus on high-added-value applications in fields including electronics, optics, magnetism and biotechnology. The unique focus of this book is on electronic, optical, magnetic and biomedical applications of hybrid nanocomposites. Coverage includes: Synthesis methods and issues and production scale-up; Characterization methods; Electronic applications; Optical applications and Photonics; Magnetic applications; and Biomedical applications. The book offers readers a solid grasp of the state of the art, and of current challenges in non-traditional applications of hybrid nanocomposites.

This new edition includes better values of properties already reported, properties not reported in time for the earlier edition, and entirely new properties becoming important for modern polymer applications. It also contains 217 total polymers, 20 of which are all-new, particularly in high-technology areas such as eletrical conductivity, non-linear optical properties, microlithography, nanophotonics, and electroluminescences. Examples of specific polymers include silsesquoxane ladder polymers, 'foldamer' self-assembling polymers, and block copolymers that phase separate into 'mushrooms', ellipsoids, and sheets with on surface radically different in properties from the other.

Over the last three decades many fundamental problems relating to the chemical reactions of polymers have arisen. In this book three distinguished authors present for the first time a comprehensive, theoretical and experimental analysis of macromolecular reactions, summarising advances in the field. Designed as a guide for academics and for polymer chemists and physicists in industry, this will also be an invaluable textbook for post-graduates and students as it details the peculiarities of macromolecular reactions, the quantitative investigation of reaction kinetics, product structure and processes of chemical modification. The authors are all widely regarded as worldwide experts in this field.

This book summarizes many of the recent research accomplishments in the area of polyvinylchloride (PVC)-based blends and their preparation, characterization and applications. Various sub-topics are addressed, such as the state-of-the-art of PVC based blends, new challenges and opportunities, emphasis being given to the types and sizes of components/fillers and optimum compositions of PVC blends, their processing and structure-properties relationships, modification/compatibilization methods, and possible applications. PVC/thermoplastic based nano, micro and macro blends, PVC membranes, bio-based plasticizers and PVC blends with components from renewable resources are reported. The various chapters in this book are contributed by prominent researchers from industry, academia and government/private research laboratories across the globe. It covers an up-to-date record on the major findings and observations in the field of PVC-based blends.

Conjugated polymers have important technological applications, including solar cells and light emitting displays. They are also active components in many important biological processes. In recent years there have been significant advances in our understanding of these systems, owing to both improved experimental measurements and the development of advanced computational techniques. The aim of this book is to describe and explain the electronic and optical properties of conjugated polymers. It focuses on the character and energetic ordering of the electronic states and relates these properties to experimental observations in real systems. A number of important optical and electronic processes in conjugated polymers are also described.

This book presents the most important advances in the class of topological materials and discusses the topological characterization, modeling and metrology of materials. Further, it addresses currently emerging characterization techniques such as optical and acoustic, vibrational spectroscopy (Brillouin, infrared, Raman), electronic, magnetic, fluorescence correlation imaging, laser lithography, small angle X-ray and neutron scattering and other techniques, including site-selective nanoprobes. The book analyzes the topological aspects to identify and quantify these effects in terms of topology metrics. The topological materials are ubiquitous and range from (i) de novo nanoscale allotropes of carbons in various forms such as nanotubes, nanorings, nanohorns, nanowalls, peapods, graphene, etc. to (ii) metallo-organic frameworks, (iii) helical gold nanotubes, (iv) Moebius conjugated polymers, (v) block co-polymers, (vi) supramolecular assemblies, to (vii) a variety of biological and soft-matter systems, e.g. foams and cellular materials, vesicles of different shapes and genera, biomimetic membranes, and filaments, (viii) topological insulators and topological superconductors, (ix) a variety of Dirac materials including Dirac and Weyl semimetals, as well as (x) knots and network structures. Topological databases and algorithms to model such materials have been also established in this book. In order to understand and properly characterize these important emergent materials, it is necessary to go far beyond the traditional paradigm of microscopic structure-property-function relationships to a paradigm that explicitly incorporates topological aspects from the outset to characterize and/or predict the physical properties and currently untapped functionalities of these advanced materials. Simulation and modeling tools including quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics, 3D visualization and tomography are also indispensable. These concepts have found applications in condensed matter physics, materials science and engineering, physical chemistry and biophysics, and the various topics covered in the book have potential applications in connection with novel synthesis techniques, sensing and catalysis. As such, the book offers a unique resource for graduate students and researchers alike.

Advances in Polymer Science enjoys a longstanding tradition and good reputation in its community. Each volume is dedicated to a current topic, and each review critically surveys one aspect of that topic, to place it within the context of the volume. The volumes typically summarize the significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years and discuss them critically, presenting selected examples, explaining and illustrating the important principles, and bringing together many important references of primary literature. On that basis, future research directions in the area can be discussed. Advances in Polymer Science volumes thus are important references for every polymer scientist, as well as for other scientists interested in polymer science - as an introduction to a neighboring field, or as a compilation of detailed information for the specialist.

This book gathers selected papers presented at the 1st International Conference on Industrial Applications of Adhesives 2020 (IAA 2020). It covers a wide range of topics, including adhesive curing for electronic and automotive industries; adhesive testing with a torsion machine for rigorous mechanical properties determination; joint design using innovative techniques such as the meshless method; design methodologies in the automotive industry for joints under impact; temperature effects in joints typically found in civil engineering; and advanced nondestructive techniques such as terahertz spectroscopy to assess the durability of adhesive joints. Providing a review of the state-of the art in industrial applications of adhesives, the book serves as a valuable reference resource for researchers and graduate students interested in adhesive bonding.

Service Life Prediction of Polymers and Coatings: Enhanced Methods focuses on the cutting-edge science behind how plastic and polymer materials are modified by the effects of weathering, offering the latest advances in service life prediction methods. The chapters have been developed by experts based on their contributions as part of the 7th Service Life Prediction Meeting. The volume begins with the premise that it is possible to produce and design life predictions, also looking at how these predictions can be used. Subsequent chapters present new developments in service life prediction, examining the most important considerations in SLP design, timescales, and other major issues. The book also considers the current state of the field in terms of both accomplishments and areas that require significant research going forward. This is a highly valuable reference for engineers, designers, technicians, scientists and R&D professionals who are looking to develop materials, components or products for outdoor applications across a range of industries. The book also supports academic researchers, scientists and advanced students with an interest in service life, the effects of weathering, material degradation, failure analysis, or sustainability across the fields of plastics engineering, polymer science and materials science.

This book focuses on polymer/silver nanocomposites as the main component in bioengineering systems. It describes in detail the synthesis and characterization (morphological, thermal, mechanical & dynamic mechanical properties), as well as the different applications of these composites. A special chapter is dedicated to the toxicity aspects of silver nanoparticles

This book offers a comprehensive treatment of the molecular design, characterization, and physical chemistry of soft interfaces. At the same time, the book aims to encourage the fabrication of functional materials including biomaterials. During the past few decades there has been steady growth in soft-interface science, and that growth has been especially rapid in the twenty-first century. The field is interdisciplinary because it involves chemistry, polymer science, materials science, physical chemistry, and biology. Based on the increasing interdisciplinary nature of undergraduate and graduate programs, the primary goal of this present work is to serve as a comprehensive resource for senior-level undergraduates and for graduate students, particularly in polymer chemistry, materials science, bioconjugate chemistry, bioengineering, and biomaterials. Additionally, with the growing interest in the fabrication of functional soft materials, this book provides essential fundamental information for researchers not only in academia but also in industry.

This book is the first of two volumes providing comprehensive coverage of the fundamental knowledge and technology of composite materials. It covers a variety of design, fabrication and characterization methods as applied to composite materials, particularly focusing on the fiber-reinforcement mechanism and related examples. It is ideal for graduate students, researchers, and professionals in the fields of Materials Science and Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.

Environmentally compatible polymers (green polymers) are the key to sustainable developments for our rich and convenient life. In order to develop green polymers, it is essential to understand that nature constructs a variety of materials that can be used. Plant materials such as cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin are the largest organic resources.
Thermal Properties of Green Polymers and Biocomposites is unique in that it introduces thermal analysis applicable to green polymers and provides fundamental thermal properties of cellulose, polysaccharides and lignin. The book includes over 370 figures concerning thermal properties of green polymers with detailed experimental conditions. It also introduces newly patented environmentally compatible green polymers. Thermal properties provided include: thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermomechanometry (TMA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA).
This book covers two domains:

-Fundamentals of thermal properties of cellulose, polysaccharides and lignin (Chapters 3 to 5);

-Developments of new biocompatible polymers derived from plant materials (Chapters 6 to 8). This book is aimed at advanced users and specialists who are interested in green polymers and who utilize thermal analyses for the above polymers, especially in research laboratories, both academic and industrial.

This first comprehensive overview of reactive extrusion technology for over a decade combines the views of contributors from both academia and industry who share their experiences and highlight possible applications and markets. They also provide updated information on the underlying chemical and physical concepts, summarizing recent developments in terms of the material and machinery used. As a result, readers will find here a compilation of potential applications for reactive extrusion to access new and cost-effective polymeric materials, while using existing compounding machines.

This book presents a comprehensive overview on origin, structure, properties, modification strategies and applications of the biopolymer lignin. It is organized into four themed parts. The first part focuses on the analysis and characterization of the second most abundant biopolymer. The following part is devoted to the biological aspects of lignin such as biosynthesis and degradation. In the third part, chemical modification strategies and the preparation of composites as well as nano- and microparticles are discussed.The final part addresses the industrial application of lignin and its derivatives, as well as lignin materials. The usage for synthesis of biofuels, fine chemicals and in agriculture and food industry is covered. This book is a comprehensive source for researchers, scientists and engineers working in the field of biopolymers as well as renewable materials and sources.

Thisbook continuesthe tradition ofproviding the scientificcommunity with infonnation on some ofthe most important advances reported at aseries ofconferences on Frontiers ofPolymers and Advanced Materials. The particular meeting covered in this proceedings volume was held in KualaLumpur, Malaysia, from January 16th through the 20th, 1995. It follows earlier proceedings, also published by Plenum, for a conference in New Delhi in 1991, and another in Jakarta in 1993. All of these conferences focused on the most recent and important advances in a wide range of carefully chosen subject areas dealing with advanced materials and new technologies. TheMalaysiaConference was organized by the Malaysian MinistryofScience, Technology and Environment; Malaysian Industry-Government Group for Higher Technology; Standards and Industrial Research Institute ofMalaysia; State University ofNew York at Buffalo; and Malaysian Plastic Manufacturers Association. The stated goals ofthe conference were: To highlight advances and new findings in Polymers and Advanced Materials To bring together leading international scientists, engineers and top level industrial managementfor discussionsonthe CUTTent status ofadvanced materials, new technologies and industrial opportunities To foster global communication in polymers and advanced materials technology. Tbe Malaysianconferencecoveredbytheseproceedingsemphasized"composites and blends," ''high-performance materials," ''materials for photonics," ''materials for electronics," ''biomaterials'', "recycling of materials," "sol-gel and processed materials," "advanced materials from natural products," and ''multifunctional and smart materials." There was also a separate symposium on ''business opportunities.""

This book covers the performance aspects of nanocomposite supercapacitor materials based on transition metal oxides, activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, graphene and conducting polymers. It compares the performance of simple electrode materials versus binary and ternary composites, while highlighting the advantages and challenges of different supercapacitor electrode materials. This book is part of the Handbook of Nanocomposite Supercapacitor Materials. Supercapacitors have emerged as promising devices for electrochemical energy storage, playing an important role in energy harvesting for meeting the current demands of increasing global energy consumption. The handbook covers the materials science and engineering of nanocomposite supercapacitors, ranging from their general characteristics and performance to materials selection, design and construction. Covering both fundamentals and recent developments, this handbook serves a readership encompassing students, professionals and researchers throughout academia and industry, particularly in the fields of materials chemistry, electrochemistry, and energy storage and conversion. It is ideal as a reference work and primary resource for any introductory senior-level undergraduate or beginning graduate course covering supercapacitors.

The series Advances in Polymer Science presents critical reviews of the present and future trends in polymer and biopolymer science. It covers all areas of research in polymer and biopolymer science including chemistry, physical chemistry, physics, material science.The thematic volumes are addressed to scientists, whether at universities or in industry, who wish to keep abreast of the important advances in the covered topics.Advances in Polymer Science enjoys a longstanding tradition and good reputation in its community. Each volume is dedicated to a current topic, and each review critically surveys one aspect of that topic, to place it within the context of the volume. The volumes typically summarize the significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years and discuss them critically, presenting selected examples, explaining and illustrating the important principles, and bringing together many important references of primary literature. On that basis, future research directions in the area can be discussed. Advances in Polymer Science volumes thus are important references for every polymer scientist, as well as for other scientists interested in polymer science - as an introduction to a neighboring field, or as a compilation of detailed information for the specialist.Review articles for the individual volumes are invited by the volume editors. Single contributions can be specially commissioned.Readership: Polymer scientists, or scientists in related fields interested in polymer and biopolymer science, at universities or in industry, graduate students

Thanks to their unique properties, chitosan and chitosan-based materials have numerous applications in the field of biomedicine, especially in drug delivery. This book examines biomedical applications of functional chitosan, exploring the various functions and applications in the development of chitosan-based biomaterials. It also describes the chemical structure of chitosan and discusses the relationship between their structure and functions, providing a theoretical basis for the design of biomaterials. Lastly, it reviews chemically modified and composite materials of chitin and chitosan derivatives for biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering, nanomedicine, drug delivery, and gene delivery.

This book provides an introduction of how radiation is processed in polymeric materials, how materials properties are affected and how the resulting materials are analyzed. It covers synthesis, characterization, or modification of important materials, e.g. polycarbonates, polyamides and polysaccharides, using radiation. For example, a complete chapter is dedicated to the characterization of biodegradable polymers irradiated with low and heavy ions. This book will be beneficial to all polymer scientists in the development of new macromolecules and to all engineers using these materials in applications. It summarizes the fundamental knowledge and latest innovations in research fields from medicine to space.

Reactive and functional polymers are manufactured with the aim of improving the performance of unmodified polymers or providing functionality for different applications. These polymers are created mainly through chemical reactions, but there are other important modifications that can be carried out by physical alterations in order to obtain reactive and functional polymers. This volume presents a comprehensive analysis of these reactive and functional polymers. Reactive and Functional Polymers Volume Three considers advanced polymeric materials such as electroactive polymers, multi-responsive polymers, shape memory polymers, stimuli responsive polymers, and active and intelligent polymers as topics for analysis. World renowned researchers from Argentina, Austria, China, Egypt, France, India, Iran, Japan, Pakistan, Romania and Spain have participated in this book. With its comprehensive scope and up-to-date coverage of issues and trends in Reactive and Functional Polymers, this is an outstanding book for students, professors, researchers and industrialists working in the field of polymers and plastic materials.