Polymer Based Nanostructured Barrier Materials

Concerns about global warming and the depletion of oil reserves have led to significant research into more sustainable composite materials made from natural materials. Recently, research has focussed on the development of nanoscale reinforcements for this new group of composites, significantly improving and extending their range of desirable properties. Environmentally friendly polymer nanocomposites summarises this wealth of research and its practical implications. After an introduction to the subject, part one looks at matrix and reinforcement materials as well as their characterisation. Part two reviews key properties such as tensile and dynamic mechanical properties and thermal stability. It also considers issues such as barrier properties, biodegradability, rheology, electrical and thermal conductivity. The book concludes by reviewing potential applications. This book is ideal for polymer and material scientists, researchers and engineers. It will also help industrial researchers and R&D managers who want to bring advanced eco-friendly polymer composite-based products into the market. Summarises the practical implications of the development of nanoscale reinforcements for sustainable composite materials made from natural materials Examines matrix and reinforcement materials and their characterisation and reviews key properties such as tensile and dynamic mechanical properties Considers barrier properties, biodegradability, rheology, electrical and thermal conductivity and potential applications

Processing of polymer nanocomposites usually requires special attention since the resultant structure—micro- and nano-level, is directly influenced by among other factors, polymer/nano-additive chemistry and the processing strategy. This book consolidates knowledge, from fundamental to product development, on polymer nanocomposites processing with special emphasis on the processing-structure-property-performance relationships in a wide range of polymer nanocomposites. Furthermore, this book focuses on emerging processing technologies such as electrospinning, which has very exciting applications ranging from medical to filtration. Additionally, the important role played by the nanoparticles in polymer blends structures has been illustrated in the current book, with special focus on fundamental aspects and properties of nanoparticles migration and interface crossing in immiscible polymer blend nanocomposites. This book focuses heavily on the processing technologies and strategies and extensively addresses the processing-structure-property-performance relationships in a wide range of polymer nanocomposites, such as commodity polymers (chapter 1), engineering polymers (chapter 2), elastomers (chapter 3), thermosets (chapter 4), biopolymers (chapter 5), polymer blends (chapter 6), and electrospun polymer (chapter 7). The important role played by nanoparticles in polymer blends structures in particular is illustrated. The book is useful to undergraduate and postgraduate students (polymer engineering, materials science & engineering, chemical & process engineering), as well as research & development personnel, engineers, and material scientists.

Design and Applications of Nanostructured Polymer Blend and Nanocomposite Systems offers readers an intelligent, thorough introduction to the design and applications of this new generation of designer polymers with customized properties. The book assembles and covers, in a unified way, the state-of-the-art developments of this less explored type of material. With a focus on nanostructured polymer blends, the book discusses the science of nanostructure formation and the potential performance benefits of nanostructured polymer blends and composites for applications across many sectors: electronics, coatings, adhesives, energy (photovoltaics), aerospace, automotive, and medical devices (biocompatible polymers). The book also describes the design, morphology, and structure of nanostructured polymer composites and blends to achieve specific properties. Covers all important information for designing and selecting the right nanostructured polymer system Provides specialized knowledge on self-repairing, nanofibre and nanostructured multiphase materials, as well as evaluation and testing of nanostructured polymer systems Serves as a reference guide for development of new products in industries ranging from electronics, coatings, and energy, to transport and medical applications Describes the design, morphology, and structure of nanostructured polymer composites and blends to achieve specific properties

Many nanostructured materials have been and are being prepared with increasing control over molecular configurations, conformations, and supramolecular assembly. These nanomaterials place an increasing challenge for characterization techniques to confirm the proposed structure and morphology. Several techniques are widely available, with increasing degrees of sophistication. Ideal techniques are those where the natural scale of the technique, such as radiation wavelength, matches that of the size scale of features in the material. In the case of nanostructured polymer blends the features are dispersed polymer phases, filler particles, and interphases. Immediately electron microscopies and X-ray techniques are apparent. Adaptions of these and related techniques extend their capabilities for the nano range. In addition to experimental observations, methods for quantifying the images or data are needed for comparison between materials and modeling via theoretical equations, which in the limit may become molecular modeling. As needs arise instruments have been improved in detection, resolution, accuracy, and precision. Development of any nanomaterial requires support from a suite of increasingly capable instrumentation. This review concentrates on techniques that directly probe nanostructures with mention of related techniques that apply to any dimension scale, though provide important secondary data.

Nanostructured Materials for Food Packaging Applications brings together the latest advances in the preparation of nanostructured materials with the required properties and performance for food packaging applications. The book begins by summarizing the state-of-the-art, opportunities, challenges and solutions in terms of materials for packaging, while also introducing the polymers and fillers in use, their general characteristics and modifications. This is followed by detailed coverage of characterization techniques, fabrication methods and the possibilities for fully green nanoscale materials. The subsequent chapters focus on specific nanomaterials and nanocomposites for food packaging, covering a broad range of materials, methods, and properties. The final chapters highlight functionalized nanomaterials, intelligent and smart packaging systems, kinetic studies, modelling and simulation, safety assessment, and lifecycle assessment of food packaging materials. This book will be of interest to researchers and advanced students across nanotechnology, polymer science, films, barriers, coatings, packaging, food science, chemistry, and materials science, as well as scientists, engineers, and R&D professionals. Covers a broad range of nanomaterials and nanocomposites for food packaging applications Guides the reader through characterization, fabrication methods, properties and analysis Considers intelligent and smart packaging systems, safety assessment and lifecycle assessment

A Step-by-step guide to the synthesis and characterization of metal-polymer nanocomposites Polymer nanocomposites, polymers that are reinforced with nano-sized particles, provide enhanced mechanical, thermal, electrical, and barrier properties. Continued research and development of new polymer nanocomposites promises to provide enhanced materials to a broad range of industries, such as plastics, aerospace, automotive, electronics, packaging, and biomedical devices. Structured as a practical laboratory manual, this book enables readers to expertly synthesize and characterize metal-polymer nanocomposites by clearly setting forth the principles and techniques. Nanocomposites: In Situ Synthesis of Polymer-Embedded Nanostructures features contributions from an international team of materials science and nanotechnology experts. Chapters reflect the authors' critical review of the literature as well as their own laboratory experience working with polymer nanocomposites. The book begins with a detailed introduction to the science, properties, and applications of metal-polymer nanocomposites. Next, it covers such topics as: Morphological and topological concepts Phase separation and nanoparticle aggregation Methods for the synthesis of nanocomposites Morphological control Characterization techniques and data analysis methods Toxicity considerations High-resolution images of metal nanoparticles, created by transmission electron microscopy, are provided throughout the book. There are also plenty of process schemes and detailed drawings, helping readers better understand how to synthesize, characterize, and use these composite materials. A bibliography at the end of each chapter provides a gateway to original research papers and reviews in the field. With its focus on the practical steps of synthesis and characterization, Nanocomposites: In Situ Synthesis of Polymer-Embedded Nanostructures is recommended for both students and practitioners in nanotechnology, polymer science, and materials science and engineering.

Polymer composites are materials in which the matrix polymer isreinforced with organic/inorganic fillers of a definite size andshape, leading to enhanced performance of the resultant composite.These materials find a wide number of applications in such diversefields as geotextiles, building, electronics, medical, packaging,and automobiles. This first systematic reference on the topic emphasizes thecharacteristics and dimension of this reinforcement. The authors are leading researchers in the field from academia,government, industry, as well as private research institutionsacross the globe, and adopt a practical approach here, coveringsuch aspects as the preparation, characterization, properties andtheory of polymer composites. The book begins by discussing the state of the art, new challenges,and opportunities of various polymer composite systems. Interfacialcharacterization of the composites is discussed in detail, as isthe macro- and micromechanics of the composites. Structure-propertyrelationships in various composite systems are explained with thehelp of theoretical models, while processing techniques for variousmacro- to nanocomposite systems and the influence of processingparameters on the properties of the composite are reviewed indetail. The characterization of microstructure, elastic,viscoelastic, static and dynamic mechanical, thermal, tribological,rheological, optical, electrical and barrier properties arehighlighted, as well as their myriad applications. Divided into three volumes: Vol. 1. Macro- and Microcomposites;Vol. 2. Nanocomposites; and Vol. 3. Biocomposites.

Nanotechnology Provides comprehensive coverage of the dominant technology of the 21st century Written by a truly international list of contributors.