The result of decades of research by a pioneer in the field, this is the first book to deal exclusively with achieving high-performance metal-polymer composites by chemical bonding. Covering both the academic and practical aspects, the author focuses on the chemistry of interfaces between metals and polymers with a particular emphasis on the chemical bonding between the different materials. He elucidates the various approaches to obtaining a stable interface, including, but not limited to, thermodynamically driven redox reactions, bond protection to prevent hydrolysis, the introduction of barrier layers, and stabilization by spacer molecules. Throughout, chemical bonding is promoted as a simple and economically viable alternative to adhesion based on reversible weak physical interaction. Consequently, the text equips readers with the practical tools necessary for designing high-strength metal-polymer composites with such desired properties as resilience, flexibility, rigidity or degradation resistance.

The result of decades of research by a pioneer in the field, this is the first book to deal exclusively with achieving high-performance metal-polymer composites by chemical bonding. Covering both the academic and practical aspects, the author focuses on the chemistry of interfaces between metals and polymers with a particular emphasis on the chemical bonding between the different materials. He elucidates the various approaches to obtaining a stable interface, including, but not limited to, thermodynamically driven redox reactions, bond protection to prevent hydrolysis, the introduction of barrier layers, and stabilization by spacer molecules. Throughout, chemical bonding is promoted as a simple and economically viable alternative to adhesion based on reversible weak physical interaction. Consequently, the text equips readers with the practical tools necessary for designing high-strength metal-polymer composites with such desired properties as resilience, flexibility, rigidity or degradation resistance.

Self-Healing Polymer-Based Systems presents all aspects of self-healing polymeric materials, offering detailed information on fundamentals, preparation methods, technology, and applications, and drawing on the latest state-of-the-art research. The book begins by introducing self-healing polymeric systems, with a thorough explanation of underlying concepts, challenges, mechanisms, kinetic and thermodynamics, and types of chemistry involved. The second part of the book studies the main categories of self-healing polymeric material, examining elastomer-based, thermoplastic-based, and thermoset-based materials in turn. This is followed by a series of chapters that examine the very latest advances, including nanoparticles, coatings, shape memory, self-healing biomaterials, ionomers, supramolecular polymers, photoinduced and thermally induced self-healing, healing efficiency, life cycle analysis, and characterization. Finally, novel applications are presented and explained. This book serves as an essential resource for academic researchers, scientists, and graduate students in the areas of polymer properties, self-healing materials, polymer science, polymer chemistry, and materials science. In industry, this book contains highly valuable information for R&D professionals, designers, and engineers, who are looking to incorporate self-healing properties in their materials, products, or components. - Provides comprehensive coverage of self-healing polymeric materials, covering principles, techniques, and applications - Includes the very latest developments in the field, such as the role of nanofillers in healing, life cycle analysis of materials, and shape memory assisted healing - Enables the reader to unlock the potential of self-healing polymeric materials for a range of advanced applications

"Furnishes the necessary background information, methods of characterization, and applications of optic and photonic systems based on polymers. Provides detailed tutorial chapters that offer in-depth explanations of optic and photonic fundamentals and synthesis techniques."

"Offers background information, methods of characterization, and applications for electrical and optical polymers, including biopolymers, and tutorial sections that explain how to use the techniques."

Phase morphology in multicomponent polymer-based systems represents the main physical characteristic that allows for control of the material design and implicitly the development of new plastics. Emphasizing properties of these promising new materials in both solution and solid phase, this book describes the preparation, processing, properties, and practical implications of advanced multiphase systems from macro to nanoscales. It covers a wide range of systems including copolymers, polymer blends, polymer composites, gels, interpenetrating polymers, and layered polymer/metal structures, describing aspects of polymer science, engineering, and technology. The book analyzes experimental and theoretical aspects regarding the thermal and electrical transport phenomena and magnetic properties of crucial importance in advanced technologies. It reviews the most recent advances concerning morphological, rheological, interfacial, physical, fire-resistant, thermophysical, and biomedical properties of multiphase polymer systems. Concomitantly the book deals with basic investigation techniques that are sensitive in elucidating the features of each phase. It also discusses the latest research trends that offer new solutions for advanced bio- and nanotechnologies. Introduces an overview of recent studies in the area of multiphase polymer systems, their micro- and nanostructural evolutions in advanced technologies, and provides future outlooks, new challenges and opportunities. Discusses multicomponent structures that offer enhanced physical, mechanical, thermal, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties adapted to current requirements of modern technologies. Covers a wide range of materials, such as composites, blends, alloys, gels and interpenetrating polymer networks. Presents new strategies for controlling the micro- and nanomorphology and the mechanical properties of multiphase p

Phase morphology in multicomponent polymer-based systems represents the main physical characteristic that allows for control of the material design and implicitly the development of new plastics. Emphasizing properties of these promising new materials in both solution and solid phase, this book describes the preparation, processing, properties, and practical implications of advanced multiphase systems from macro to nanoscales. It covers a wide range of systems including copolymers, polymer blends, polymer composites, gels, interpenetrating polymers, and layered polymer/metal structures, describing aspects of polymer science, engineering, and technology. The book analyzes experimental and theoretical aspects regarding the thermal and electrical transport phenomena and magnetic properties of crucial importance in advanced technologies. It reviews the most recent advances concerning morphological, rheological, interfacial, physical, fire-resistant, thermophysical, and biomedical properties of multiphase polymer systems. Concomitantly the book deals with basic investigation techniques that are sensitive in elucidating the features of each phase. It also discusses the latest research trends that offer new solutions for advanced bio- and nanotechnologies. Introduces an overview of recent studies in the area of multiphase polymer systems, their micro- and nanostructural evolutions in advanced technologies, and provides future outlooks, new challenges and opportunities. Discusses multicomponent structures that offer enhanced physical, mechanical, thermal, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties adapted to current requirements of modern technologies. Covers a wide range of materials, such as composites, blends, alloys, gels and interpenetrating polymer networks. Presents new strategies for controlling the micro- and nanomorphology and the mechanical properties of multiphase polymeric materials. Describes different applications of multiphase polymeric materials in various fields, including automotive, aeronautics and space industry, displays, and medicine.

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.

Crystallization in Multiphase Polymer Systems is the first book that explains in depth the crystallization behavior of multiphase polymer systems. Polymeric structures are more complex in nature than other material structures due to their significant structural disorder. Most of the polymers used today are semicrystalline, and the subject of crystallization is still one of the major issues relating to the performance of semicrystalline polymers in the modern polymer industry. The study of the crystallization processes, crystalline morphologies and other phase transitions is of great significance for the understanding the structure-property relationships of these systems. Crystallization in block copolymers, miscible blends, immiscible blends, and polymer composites and nanocomposites is thoroughly discussed and represents the core coverage of this book. The book critically analyzes the kinetics of nucleation and growth process of the crystalline phases in multi-component polymer systems in different length scales, from macro to nanoscale. Various experimental techniques used for the characterization of polymer crystallization process are discussed. Written by experts in the field of polymer crystallization, this book is a unique source and enables professionals and students to understand crystallization behavior in multiphase polymer systems such as block copolymers, polymer blends, composites and nanocomposites. - Covers crystallization of multiphase polymer systems, including copolymers, blends and nanocomposites - Features comprehensive, detailed information about the basic research, practical applications and new developments for these polymeric materials - Analyzes the kinetics of nucleation and growth process of the crystalline phases in multi-component polymer systems in different length scales, from macro to nanoscale

Research on metal-containing polymers began in the early 1960's when several workers found that vinyl ferrocene and other vinylic transition metal u -com plexes 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-conducters and pos sessed one or two dimensional conductivity. Thus appli cations 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 homo geneous catalysts developed in the late 60's and early 70's, several investigators began binding homogeneous catalysts onto polymers, where the advantage of homo geneous 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.