During the last two decades, the production of polymers and plastics has been increasing rapidly. In spite of developing new polymers and polymeric materials, only 40-60 are used commercially on a large scale. It has been estimated that half of the annual production of polymers is employed outdoors. Increasing the stability of polymers and plastics towards heat, light, atmospheric oxygen and other environmental agents and weathering conditions has always been a very important problem. The photochemical instability of most of polymers limits them to outdoor application, where they are photo degraded fast over periods ranging from months to a few years. To the despair of technologists and consumers alike, photodegrada tion and environmental ageing of polymers occur much faster than can be expected from knowledge collected in laboratories. In many cases, improved methods of preparation and purification of both monomers and polymers yield products of better quality and higher resistance to heat and light. However, without stabilization of polymers by applica tion of antioxidants (to decrease thermal oxidative degradation) and photostabilizers (to decrease photo-oxidative degradation) it would be impossible to employ polymers and plastics in everyday use.

Covers recent advances in polymer degradation and stabilization. Focuses on the basics of photo- and bio-degradability. Delineates special and general environmental parameters such as solar irradiation, temperature, and agrochemical exposure. Surveys plastic waste disposal strategies such as recycling, incineration, chemical recovery by pyrolysis, and source reduction.

Third Edition brings acclaimed textthoroughly up to date with the latestorganic coatings technology Organic Coatings, Third Edition is an unparalleled reference and text for organic coatings technology and its myriad applications. It begins with discussions of key principles of coatings, then thoroughly explores raw materials, physical concepts, formulations, and applications. Scientists, engineers, and paint formulators all gain a deeper understanding of the principles underlying the technology and learn how to use these principles in the development, production, and application of organic coatings. The four authors, all leading industry experts, offer a unique approach to the topic that correlates the empirical technology of coatings with the underlying science. This Third Edition has been completely revised and updated to reflect numerous changes in the field, including changes driven by increasing pressure to lower VOC emissions, reduce energy requirements, and eliminate potential health hazards from organic coatings components. In addition, the authors have developed new material to make the text more accessible for scientists and engineers first entering the field, as well as for students taking coatings courses. At the same time, the hallmarks that distinguished the two previous editions have been retained, including: Troubleshooting guidance for coatings scientists and technologists Clear differentiation between established principles and hypotheses requiring further research Precise definitions of coatings industry terminology Extensive references to the current literature Hundreds of figures that help readers visualize key concepts and techniques Whether you are just entering the field of organic coatings and need a broad overview or you are an experienced professional who needs a sophisticated reference, you can depend on Organic Coatings to give you the information and answers you need.

This volume compiles a wealth of information on the composition, properties, utilization, and performance of major classes of additives while alerting formulators to potentially damaging interactions and challenges in the selection and testing of these materials. Completely revised and updated, the Handbook of Coatings Additives, Second Edition offers practical knowledge on the industry's most widely used compounds to accelerate and refine laboratory procedures, meet regulatory standards, and avoid hazards in the formulation of coatings additives. It is an ideal guide to making informed decisions in the development and design of effective coatings systems.

Durability and Reliability of Polymers and Other Materials in Photovoltaic Modules describes the durability and reliability behavior of polymers used in Si-photovoltaic modules and systems, particularly in terms of physical aging and degradation process/mechanisms, characterization methods, accelerated exposure chamber and testing, module level testing, and service life prediction. The book compares polymeric materials to traditional materials used in solar applications, explaining the degradation pathways of the different elements of a photovoltaic module, including encapsulant, front sheet, back sheet, wires and connectors, adhesives, sealants, and more. In addition, users will find sections on the tests needed for the evaluation of polymer degradation and aging, as well as accelerated tests to aid in materials selection. As demand for photovoltaics continues to grow globally, with polymer photovoltaics offering significantly lower production costs compared to earlier approaches, this book will serve as a welcome resource on new avenues. - Provides comprehensive coverage of photovoltaic polymers, from fundamental degradation mechanisms, to specific case studies of durability and materials failure - Offers practical, actionable information in relation to service life prediction of photovoltaic modules and accelerated testing for materials selection - Includes up-to-date information and interpretation of safety regulations and testing of photovoltaic modules and materials

'The Organic Chemistry of Museum Objects' makes available in a single volume, a survey of the chemical composition, properties and analysis of the whole range of organic materials incorporated into objects and artworks found in museum collections. The authors cover the fundamental chemistry of the bulk materials such as wood, paper, natural fibres and skin products, as well as that of the relatively minor components incorporated as paint, media, varnishes, adhesives and dyes. This expanded second edition, now in paperback, follows the structure of the first, though it has been extensively updated. In addition to chapters on basic organic chemistry, analytical methods, analytical findings and fundamental aspects of deterioration, the subject matter is grouped as far as possible by broad chemical class - oils and fats, waxes, bitumens, carbohydrates, proteins, natural resins, dyestuffs and synthetic polymers. This is an essential purchase for all practising and student conservators, restorers, museum scientists, curators and organic chemists.

Presents the state of the technology, from fundamentals to new materials and applications Today's electronic devices, computers, solar cells, printing, imaging, copying, and recording technology, to name a few, all owe a debt to our growing understanding of the photophysics and photochemistry of polymeric materials. This book draws together, analyzes, and presents our current understanding of polymer photochemistry and photophysics. In addition to exploring materials, mechanisms, processes, and properties, the handbook also highlights the latest applications in the field and points to new developments on the horizon. Photochemistry and Photophysics of Polymer Materials is divided into seventeen chapters, including: Optical and luminescent properties and applications of metal complex-based polymers Photoinitiators for free radical polymerization reactions Photovoltaic polymer materials Photoimaging and lithographic processes in polymers Photostabilization of polymer materials Photodegradation processes in polymeric materials Each chapter, written by one or more leading experts and pioneers in the field, incorporates all the latest findings and developments as well as the authors' own personal insights and perspectives. References guide readers to the literature for further investigation of individual topics. Together, the contributions represent a series of major developments in the polymer world in which light and its energy have been put to valuable use. Not only does this reference capture our current state of knowledge, but it also provides the foundation for new research and the development of new materials and new applications.

Providing the guidance needed for formulation, handling, and quality control of photolabile drugs, Photostability of Drugs and Drug Formulations, Second Edition explores the significance of new information on drug photoreactivity in a pharmaceutical context. Completely revised and updated, with chapter authors drawn from an international panel of experts, the book supplies the background necessary for planning standardized photochemical stability studies as a part of drug development and formulation work. It contains comprehensive coverage of the physical and chemical aspects of drug photoreactivity, formulation, stability testing, and drug design/discovery in one resource. The contents have been reorganized to focus on the standardization of photostability testing of drug substances and products, in vitro photoreactivity screening of drugs, and various aspects of the formulation of photoreactive substances. The information on in vitro screening of drug photoreactivity is of great relevance for scientists who are developing and validating a set of testing protocols to address photosafety. Discussing kinetic and chemical aspects of drug photodecomposition as well as the practical problems frequently encountered in photochemical stability testing, this book helps you design a test protocol and interpret the results. Features Assists non-experts in this field design a test protocol and interpret the results Covers in vitro and in vivo aspects of interactions between drugs and light Explores the kinetic and chemical aspects of drug photodecomposition Discusses the problems frequently encountered in photochemical stability testing Provides guidance on how to address photosafety assessments and labeling requirements of potentially photoreactive drugs Highlights the practical implications of drug photodecomposition from a pharmaceutical viewpoint Offers specific guidance in photostability testing and screening of drug photoreactivity

As a new and exciting field of interdisciplinary macromolecular science and engineering, polymeric materials will have a profound presence in 21st century chemical, pharmaceutical, biomedical, manufacturing, infrastructure, electronic, optical and information technologies. The origin of this field derived from an area of polymer science and engineering encompassing plastic technologies. The field is rapidly expanding to incorporate new interdisciplinary research areas such as biomaterials, macromolecular biology, novel macromolecular structures, environmental macromolecular science and engineering, innovative and nano-fabrications of products, and is translating discoveries into technologies.·Unique in combining scientific concepts with technological aspects·Provides a comprehensive and broad coverage of thermodynamic and thermal behaviours of various polymeric materials as well as methodologies of thermal analysis and calorimetry·Contributions are from both pioneering scientists and the new generation of researchers