The Chemistry of Polymers, 5th Edition, is fully updated with the latest developments in polymer science providing a highly readable textbook for those requiring a broad overview of the subject. Like previous editions, the book continues to explore the subject from an applications point of view, providing a comprehensive introduction to all aspects of polymer science including synthesis, structure, properties, degradation and dendrimers. Recent advances in special topics in polymer chemistry and polymers and the environment are also discussed in an informative and up-to-date manner. The new edition features additional content on recent developments in new polymer synthesis techniques including reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The book also contains new content on the latest developments in polymer characterisation methods as well as applications of polymers including co-ordination polymers and lithium-polymer batteries. The book is essential reading for university students, teachers and scientists who wish to acquire an up-to-the-minute overview of polymer science and its many specialised topics in an informative and easy to read style.

Implants into the human body, such as hip joints, heart valves and dental crowns, have been increasingly used over the last 40 years or so, and many patients have benefited from their use. But how much is known about the metals, ceramics and polymers that are used in these repairs? This book provides a state-of-the-art account of the chemistry of the synthetic materials used in medicine and dentistry. It looks at the properties and interactions of these materials within the body at a molecular level, and includes discussion of bioengineering and cell biology. In addition, there is an account of the surgical procedures used, as well as extensive coverage of the possible biological reactions to the presence of foreign materials in the body. A brief look at the emerging field of tissue engineering completes the text. Fully referenced, with detailed reviews of the current literature, The Chemistry of Medical and Dental Materials will be an essential starting-point for all those in academia and industry who are involved in the development of new and improved repair materials.

With synthetic implants such as hip joints, heart valves and dental crowns now routinely used in the human body for medical purposes, study of the metals, ceramics and polymers used in these repairs is more important than ever. The Chemistry of Medical and Dental Materials examines the properties and interactions of these materials within the body at a molecular level, and includes discussion of bioengineering and cell biology, with accounts of the surgical procedures used, as well as extensive coverage of the possible biological reactions to the presence of foreign materials in the body. Acknowledging the substantial growth of the biomaterials field since the first edition, this second edition sees each chapter comprehensively revised and updated. The new edition also includes a new chapter on ethical perspectives, covering issues from animal and human subject testing to the availability of treatments for poorer socio-economic groups. With detailed reviews of the current literature, this book will be a key resource for researchers and practitioners in biomaterials science and dental biomaterials who are involved in the development of new and improved repair materials.

Acid-base cements have been known since the mid-nineteenth century and offer an alternative to polymerization as a route for forming solid substances. They are quick setting materials and some have unusual properties for cements, such as adhesion and translucency. They find diverse applications ranging from the biomedical to the industrial. Despite this there has been a failure to recognize them as constituting a single, well defined class of material. This book attempts to remedy this situation by unifying the subject and treating this range of materials as a single class. Following a brief historical overview, an introductory chapter defines these cements as materials that are formed by reacting a basic powder with an acidic liquid to yield a salt-like matrix. The nature of the cementation process and the cement-forming acids and bases are discussed. Other chapters are devoted to the methods of study, the structure of water and simple polyelectrolyte theory. In the remaining chapters the various types of cements classified according the anionic constituent of the matrix, are described. Thus, there are chapters on polyalkenoate, phosphate, oxychloride, oxysulphate and the non-aqueous phenolate cements. A chapter is devoted to miscellaneous aqueous cements which include the recently discovered polyphosphonate cements.