Chitin is the second most abundant natural polymer in the world after cellulose, mainly derived from the food waste of shrimp and crabs. Chitosan is the most important derivative of chitin. Thanks to their biodegradability, non-toxicity, biocompatibility, bioactivity, and versatile chemical and physical properties, chitin and chitosan derivatives are used in a wide variety of applications, including water treatment, cosmetics and toiletries, food and beverages, healthcare/medical, and agrochemicals. Chitin and Chitosans in the Bioeconomy covers all major aspects of chitin and chitosan, including structure, biosynthesis, biodegradation, properties of chitin and derivatives, applications, and market. It offers a special focus on the bioeconomy, which is the renewable segment of the circular economy. Describes the structure, biosynthesis, and biodegradation of chitin and chitosan Covers chitin- and chitosan-based products Details valorization of these materials Presents information on shell biorefineries Chitin and Chitosans in the Bioeconomy serves as a reference for polymer scientists and engineers and is also accessible to economists and advanced students.

Pullulan is a polysaccharide produced by the fungus Aureobasidium pullulans and possesses some distinct properties such as excellent transparent film-forming ability, moisture absorptivity, water solubility, non-toxicity, and adhesivity. These properties allow pullulan to find potential applications in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and health care. This book presents the chemistry and properties of pullulan, along with the method of its production at the laboratory level. It discusses the structural engineering, processing methods, and versatile applications of pullulan, as well as highlights the challenges that still have to be overcome for its large-scale production. This unique book comprehensively summarizes many of the recent research findings on pullulan, contributed by leading experts in this research domain. It is a useful reference book for scientists, academicians, researchers, chemists, technologists, graduate and postgraduate students, and general readers who are interested in pullulan.

The polyurethane industry is among the fastest growing, with polyurethanes used in consumer as well as industrial sectors. Waterborne polyurethanes (WPUs) exhibit many advantages over conventional volatile organic compounds (VOCs) based polyurethanes and have emerged as an environmentally friendly alternative. WPUs offer an opportunity to use sustainable raw materials to produce environmentally sustainable polymers, particularly, polyols derived from vegetable oils. Eco-Friendly Waterborne Polyurethanes: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications provides state-of-the-art knowledge of the synthesis, application, and property enhancement of WPUs. Covers various types of eco-friendly materials and technologies used to synthesize WPUs Presents an overview and applications of WPUs in several advanced research areas Provides fundamentals of synthetic processes and their chemistries for specific applications Elaborates on advanced approaches used to convert renewable resources into polymers Offers new direction to scientists, researchers, and students to better understand the chemistry, technologies, and applications Written for polymer chemists, materials scientists, and other researchers and industry, this book serves as a comprehensive reference for readers interested in the development and application of sustainable polymers.

Mineral-filled polymer composites are increasingly used for various applications, including automotive, construction, biomedical, maritime, sport and ballistic, due to the advantages of low cost, light weight, excellent rigidity and high mechanical strength. One of two volumes comprising the Mineral-Filled Polymer Composites Handbook, this volume provides an overview of the latest research, trends, applications and future directions of advanced mineral fiber-reinforced polymer composites. It focuses specifically on material selection, processing and applications. This book: Emphasizes the principles governing the behavior of mineral-filled composite materials in the field of engineering and their applications Covers systematic material selection tools such as analytical hierarchy process (AHP), analytical network process (ANP), and technique of ranking preferences by similarity of the ideal solution (TOPSIS) Reviews the use of these materials for various engineering applications Features chapters looking at fabrication techniques and frictional properties Details current research in polymer nanocomposites and particulate polymer composites This book serves as an excellent reference guide for researchers, advanced students, academics and industry professionals interested in the synthesis of mineral-filled polymer and biopolymer composites, as well as those pursuing research in the broad fields of composite materials, polymers, organic/inorganic hybrid materials and nano-assembly.

Mineral-filled polymer composites are widely used in industries across the globe, and applications are continuously increasing in sectors such as shipping, manufacturing and renewable energy. One of two volumes comprising the Mineral-Filled Polymer Composites Handbook, this volume provides an overview of the latest research and future directions of advanced mineral fiber-reinforced polymer composites, focused specifically on materials properties. It covers fundamentals, recent progress and new materials involved in mineral-filled polymer composites and includes a wide-ranging list of chapters authored by an international team of experts. This book: Examines the properties of a wide range of materials, from macro- to nano-sized Highlights resources for bio-based minerals production and compares bio-based minerals with commercial mineral fillers Covers novel synthesis methods Discusses effects of aging on properties Describes using halloysite and montmorillonite to improve composite properties and the potential of using mineral fillers to enhance the properties of biopolymer and synthetic polymers This book serves as an excellent reference guide for researchers, advanced students, academics and industry professionals interested in the synthesis of mineral-filled polymer and biopolymer composites, as well as those pursuing research in the broad fields of composite materials, polymers, organic/inorganic hybrid materials and nano-assembly.

Thermal Analysis (TA) has become an indispensable family of analytical techniques in the polymer research. The increased importance of these techniques can be seen as the result of three more or less parallel developments:
a tempestuous development of TA measuring techniques in combination with a high degree of automation,
the strongly increased understanding of the underlaying theory and,
the increasing knowledge of the relation between the polymers' chemical structure and their physical properties.

These areas are still in their developmental stages, especially the third area. The increasing knowledge of the dependence of physical properties on chemical structure just accentuated more and more the need for accurate thermoanalytical measurements, and this knowledge is very important for the first stages of the development of new polymeric systems. Besides, the contribution of TA remains necessary for the technical and commercial development of such a new polymer system. The use of the various TA techniques in these processes is described in this book in nine chapters, while chapter ten illustrates the information obtained about different polymers during special case studies.

This book illustrates in this way, applications of a wide variety of TA techniques whilst it is written from a materials characterisation rather than from a TA point of view with attention being paid to the chemical structure/physical properties correlations.
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Describes preparation, characterization, and applications of pH responsive membranes in biomedical applications. Introduces the theoretical understanding of the pH responsiveness. Covers advancement of techniques regarding pH responsive membranes. Provide insights for the development of new materials and membranes. Discusses advancements in drug delivery, haemodialysis, antibodies and enzyme production, chemical sensing and selective ionic transport using pH responsive membranes.

It covers the synthesis, characterizations, and properties of natural polymeric systems, including their morphology, structure, and dynamics. It introduces the most recent innovations and applications of natural polymers and their composites in the food, construction, electronics, biomedical, pharmaceutical, and engineering industries.

"Electroactivity in Polymeric Materials"provides an in-depth viewof the theory of electroactivity and exploresexactly how and whyvarious electroactive phenomena occur. The book explains the theory behind electroactive bending (including ion-polymer-metal-composites -IPMCs), dielectric elastomers, electroactive contraction, andelectroactive contraction-expansion cycles. The book also balances theory with applications - how electroactivity can be used - drawing inspiration from the manmade mechanical world and the natural world around us.
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This new volume presents leading-edge research in the rapidly changing and evolving field of polymer science as well as on chemical processing. The topics in the book reflect the diversity of research advances in the production and application of modern polymeric materials and related areas, focusing on the preparation, characterization, and applications of polymers. Also covered are various manufacturing techniques. The book helps to fill the gap between theory and practice in industry. The book introduces current state-of-the-art technology in modern materials with an emphasis on the rapidly growing technologies. It takes a unique approach by presenting specific materials and then progresses into a discussion of the ways in which these materials and processes are integrated into today's functioning manufacturing industry. Readers will also discover how material properties relate to the process variables in a given process as well as how to perform quantitative engineering analysis of manufacturing processes.

This book reviews the latest research, development, and future potential of polyimides and green polymer chemistry. It combines the major interdisciplinary research in this area. Polymers with imidic structure, known as polyimides, are widely investigated owing to their practical implications in numerous industrial sectors. The book explains why polyimides offer versatility unparalleled in comparison to most other classes of macromolecules. In addition, developments in green polymer chemistry in this area have been stimulated by health and environmental concerns, interest in sustainability, desire to decrease the dependence on petroleum, and opportunities to design and produce "green" products and processes. Major advances include new uses of green processing methodologies, and green polymeric products. Imidic Polymers and Green Polymer Chemistry: New Technology and Developments in Process and Product is targeted to scientists, engineers, and students who are involved or interested in green polymer chemistry and imidic polymers. This book will serve as a valuable reference for those with an interest in synthesis of polyimides and the chemistry and physical chemistry of polyimide compounds.

This new book explores the consideration of relationships that connect the structural and basic mechanical properties of polymeric mediums within the frameworks of fractal analysis with cluster model representations attraction. Incidentally, the choice of any structural model of medium or their combinations is defined by expediency and further usage convenience only. This book presents leading-edge research in this rapidly changing and evolving field. The book presents descriptions of the main reactions of high-molecular substances within the frameworks of fractal analysis and irreversible aggregation models. Synergetics and percolation theory were also used. In spite of the enormous number of papers dealing with the influence of the medium on the rate of chemical reactions (including synthesis of polymers), no strict quantitative theory capable of "universal" application has been put forward up until now. It is now possible to describe the relationship between the reaction rate constants and the equilibrium constants with the nature of the medium in which the reactions take place by means of a single equation. This important book for the first time gives structural and physical grounds of polymers synthesis and curing, and the fractal analysis is used for this purpose. This new book: * Highlights some important areas of current interest in polymer products and chemical processes * Focuses on topics with more advanced methods * Emphasizes precise mathematical development and actual experimental details * Analyzes theories to formulate and prove the physicochemical principles * Provides an up-to-date and thorough exposition of the present state of the art of complex polymeric materials

This book provides a vast amount of information on new approaches, limitations, and control on current polymers and chemicals complexity of various origins, on scales ranging from single molecules and nano-phenomena to macroscopic chemicals. Starting with a detailed introduction, the book is comprised of chapters that survey the current progress in particular research fields. The chapters, prepared by leading international experts, yield together a fascinating picture of a rapidly developing research discipline that brings chemical technology and polymers to new frontiers.

This book covers a broad range of polymeric materials and provides industry professionals and researchers in polymer science and technology with a single, comprehensive book summarizing all aspects involved in the functional materials production chain. This volume presents the latest developments and trends in advanced polymer materials and structures. It discusses the developments of advanced polymers and respective tools to characterize and predict the material properties and behavior. This book has an important role in advancing polymer materials in macro and nanoscale. Its aim is to provide original, theoretical, and important experimental results that use non-routine methodologies. It also includes chapters on novel applications of more familiar experimental techniques and analyses of composite problems that indicate the need for new experimental approaches. This new book: * Provides a collection of articles that highlight some important areas of current interest in key polymeric materials and technology * Gives an up-to-date and thorough exposition of the present state of the art of key polymeric materials and technology * Describes the types of techniques now available to the engineers and technicians and discusses their capabilities, limitations, and applications * Provides a balance between materials science and chemical aspects, basic and applied research * Focuses on topics with more advanced methods * Emphasizes precise mathematical development and actual experimental details * Explains modification methods for changing of different materials properties

This thesis identifies the turning point in chain length, after which alkanes self-solvate into a folded structure instead of an extended stretched conformation. After this turning point, London dispersion forces rearrange isolated n-alkanes into a particular hairpin-structure, while for shorter chain lengths, a simple stretched conformation is energetically preferred. This thesis can locate the experimental turning point for the first time in an interaction-free manner from measurements of unbranched alkanes at low temperatures in supersonic jet expansions. It contains a detailed analysis of the vibrational Raman spectra of the chain molecules, which is supported by comprehensive quantum chemical simulations. In this way, the detailed balance between inter-chain attraction and conformational flexibility can be quantified. The investigations are complemented by measurements of perfluoroalkanes and similarities and differences between the compounds are discussed. Furthermore, Nils Luttschwager determines the stiffnesses (elastic moduli) of two of the most common industrial polymers: polyethylene and polytetrafluorethylene. He uses in this thesis a sophisticated extrapolation to calculate this value from quantities of their building blocks, showing that the single polymer molecules can be as stiff as a rod of steel.

Nanostructured electrode materials have exhibited unrivaled electrochemical properties in creating elite supercapacitors. Morphology Design Paradigm for Supercapacitors presents the latest advances in the improvement of supercapacitors, a result of the incorporation of nanomaterials into the design - from zero-dimensional to three-dimensional, and microporous to mesoporous. The book includes a comprehensive description of capacitive practices at the levels of sub-atomic and nanoscales. These have the ability to enhance device performance for an extensive assortment of potential applications, including consumer electronics, wearable gadgets, hybrid electric vehicles, stationary and industrial frameworks. Key Features: Provides readers with a clear understanding of the implementation of these materials as electrodes in electrochemical supercapacitors. Covers recent material designs and an extensive scope of electrode materials such as 0D to 3D. Explores recent nanostructured-system material designs that have been created and tested in supercapacitor configurations. Considers microporous to mesoporous supercapacitor electrode materials. Features the impact of nanostructures on the properties of supercapacitors, including specific capacitance, cycle stability, and rate capability.

Conducting polymers are organic polymers which contain conjugation along the polymer backbone that conduct electricity. Conducting polymers are promising materials for energy storage applications because of their fast charge-discharge kinetics, high charge density, fast redox reaction, low-cost, ease of synthesis, tunable morphology, high power capability and excellent intrinsic conductivity compared with inorganic-based materials. Conducting Polymers-Based Energy Storage Materials surveys recent advances in conducting polymers and their composites addressing the execution of these materials as electrodes in electrochemical power sources. Key Features: Provides an overview on the conducting polymer material properties, fundamentals and their role in energy storage applications. Deliberates cutting-edge energy storage technology based on synthetic metals (conducting polymers) Covers current applications in next-generation energy storage devices. Explores the new aspects of conducting polymers with processing, tunable properties, nanostructures and engineering strategies of conducting polymers for energy storage. Presents up-to-date coverage of a large, rapidly growing and complex conducting polymer literature on all-types electrochemical power sources. This book is an invaluable guide for students, professors, scientists, and R&D industrial specialists working in the field of advanced science, nanodevices, flexible electronics, and energy science.

"Silicone Surface Science" offers a survey of the major topics concerning the properties and behavior of silicone surfaces. It covers all main aspects of the subject, including: polydimethylsiloxane, spread monolayers, self-assembled monolayers, hydrophobicity and super-hydrophobicity, coupling agents, surfactants, fluorosilicones, surface treatments and surface analysis.

This book brings together the field's leading experts who investigated both fundamental and applied aspects of silicone surface science and technology, and introduces the reader to the origins and historical development of silicone surfaces as well as to their most significant current key features.

"Silicone Surface Science" is an invaluable guide and indispensable reference source for all those interested in this important area of polymer and materials science and technology, from graduate students to experienced scientists alike."

This book details the use of conducting polymers and their composites in supercapacitors, batteries, photovoltaics, and fuel cells, nearly covering the entire spectrum of energy area under one title. Conducting Polymers for Advanced Energy Applications covers a range of advanced materials based on conducting polymers, the fundamentals, and the chemistry behind these materials for energy applications. FEATURES Covers materials, chemistry, various synthesis approaches, and the properties of conducting polymers and their composites Discusses commercialization and markets and elaborates on advanced applications Presents an overview and the advantages of using conducting polymers and their composites for advanced energy applications Describes a variety of nanocomposites, including metal oxides, chalcogenides, graphene, and materials beyond graphene Offers the fundamentals of electrochemical behavior This book provides a new direction for scientists, researchers, and students in materials science and polymer chemistry who seek to better understand the chemistry behind conducting polymers and improve their performance for use in advanced energy applications.

Semiconducting polymers are of great interest for applications in electroluminescent devices, solar cells, batteries, and diodes. This volume provides a thorough introduction to the basic concepts of the photophysics of semiconducting polymers as well as a description of the principal polymerization methods for luminescent polymers. Divided into two main sections, the book first introduces the advances made in polymer synthesis and then goes on to focus on the photophysics aspects, also exploring how new advances in the area of controlled syntheses of semiconducting polymers are applied. An understanding of the photophysics process in this kind of material requires some knowledge of many different terms in this field, so a chapter on the basic concepts is included. The process that occurs in semiconducting polymers spans time scales that are unimaginably fast, sometimes less than a picosecond. To appreciate this extraordinary scale, it is necessary to learn a range of vocabularies and concepts that stretch from the basic concepts of photophysics to modern applications, such as electroluminescent devices, solar cells, batteries, and diodes. This book provides a starting point for a broadly based understanding of photophysics concepts applied in understanding semiconducting polymers, incorporating critical ideas from across the scientific spectrum.

There is increasing interest in the area of protective vests, either for protection against bullets or protection from the most realistic threats within domestic frontline operations: edged weapon, knives, and medical needles. This volume addresses that need. This new book provides an in-depth survey of the state-of-the-art research and practical techniques in the area of protected fabrics, especially stab-resistant and bulletproof fabrics. The book covers: * The history of protective armor: the long history of the art of protective armor manufacturing. * Materials used for body armor: the design and materials used for soft armor to increase its perforation-resistance utilizing high-performance fibers. * Anti-stab and anti-bullet armor design: the different design parameters required for the design of flexible armor in order to stop high-velocity projectiles. * The comfort of the body armor design: the flexibility, thermal resistivity, and evaporative moisture resistivity through the fabric. * Methods of testing the flexible body armors: testing the components of flexible body armor, according to the level of the protection required, such as NIJ Standards, HOSDB Body Armour Standards for UK Police, and the German SK1 Standard, among others. Written by an expert in textile composite material engineering, this volume fills an important gap in the area of protective fabric against stabbing or bullets and provides invaluable practical knowledge for body armor design.

A handbook on syntheses and properties, production processes, and applications of maleic anhydride and maleic anhydride derived products - all in one text. This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of maleic anhydride chemistry and applications from the professional perspective. With chapters written by leading R&D scientists from the chemical industry, and edited by the Vice President and ASI Technology Chief at Ashland Specialty Ingredients (ASI), Dr. Osama M. Musa, readers will find a unique perspective and summary of the latest advancements in the field of maleic anhydride science. Maleic anhydride is produced industrially on large scale (10E3 kt/annum). Its rich chemistry makes it an important raw material for numerous products and processes (e.g. for applications in polymers and coatings), many of which are covered in this handbook for the first time in a comprehensive manner. The broad scope spans topics ranging from production techniques (including topics such as processes, catalysis, trouble-shooting), synthesis and properties of small and polymeric maleic anhydride based compounds (focusing on industrially relevant compounds as well as emerging areas of importance) and in-depth and broad discussions of commercial maleic anhydride based applications.

Having a solid understanding of materials recycling is of high importance, especially due to the growing use of composites in many industries and increasingly strict legislation and concerns about the disposal of composites in landfills or by incineration. Recycling of Plastics, Metals, and Their Composites provides a comprehensive review of the recycling of waste polymers and metal composites. It provides the latest advances and covers the fundamentals of recycled polymers and metal composites, such as preparation, morphology, and physical, mechanical, thermal, and flame-retardancy properties. FEATURES Offers a state-of-the-art review of the recycling of polymer composites and metal composites for sustainability Describes a life-cycle analysis to help readers understand the true potential value and market for these recycled materials Details potential applications of recycled polymer and metal composites Includes the performance of natural fiber-reinforced recycled thermoplastic polymer composites under aging conditions and the recycling of multi-material plastics Covers recycling technologies, opportunities, and challenges for polymer-matrix composites This book targets technical professionals in the metal and polymer industries as well as researchers, scientists, and advanced students. It is also of interest to decision makers at material suppliers, recycled metal and polymer product manufacturers, and governmental agencies working with recycled metal and polymer composites.

Fourier Transform Infrared microspectroscopy (FTIR) was first developed by William Coblentz in 1905 for analytical purposes. It has been established as a powerful analytical method to analyze a wide range of materials. The most convenient way to analyze the molecular structure was to prepare KBr pellets with small amount of chemical species. Currently, the development of the Universal Attenuated Total Reflectance (UATR) allows the use of ZnSe-Diamond crystal to acquire FTIR spectra directly from the sample with no special preparation. These traditional FTIR analyses have been made with devices capable of performing single measurements, thus, providing a single IR spectrum of the sample. Recent major technological development in FTIR instrumentation was development of microscopes and imaging systems. These devices are now capable of imaging larger sample area, providing not only spectroscopic information but also spatial distributional information. In addition, the development of Focal Point Array (FPA) has made FTIR imaging an emerging area of chemical imaging research. The aim of this book is to summarize in a single document the research work that is being performed using UATR and IR imaging in selected emerging applications in plant materials and biological samples. This book provides the readers new knowledge, updates information, emerging applications, and understanding of the potential use of FTIR Microspectroscopy.

Among electrode materials, inorganic materials have received vast consideration owing to their redox chemistry, chemical stability, high electrochemical performance, and high-power applications. These exceptional properties enable inorganic-based materials to find application in high-performance energy conversion and storage. The current advances in nanotechnology have uncovered novel inorganic materials by various strategies and their different morphological features may serve as a rule for future supercapacitor electrode design for efficient supercapacitor performance. Inorganic Nanomaterials for Supercapacitor Design depicts the latest advances in inorganic nanomaterials for supercapacitor energy storage devices. Key Features: ? Provides an overview on the supercapacitor application of inorganic-based materials. ? Describes the fundamental aspects, key factors, advantages, and challenges of inorganic supercapacitors. ? Presents up-to-date coverage of the large, rapidly growing, and complex literature on inorganic supercapacitors. ? Surveys current applications in supercapacitor energy storage. ? Explores the new aspects of inorganic materials and next-generation supercapacitor systems.