Polymer Composites

STATE OF THE ART - NANOMECHANICS
Introduction
Nanoplatelet-Reinforced Composites
Exfoliation - Adsorption
In Situ Intercalative Polymerization Method
Melt Intercalation
Nanofiber-Reinforced Composites
Characterization of Polymer Nanocomposites
Recent Advances in Polymer Nanocomposites
Future Outlook

SYNTHESIS, SURFACE MODIFICATION, AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOPARTICLES
Introduction
Synthesis and Modification of Nanoparticles
Modification of Nanoparticles
Preparation and Characterization of Polymer - Inorganic Nanocomposites
Preparation of Polymer - Inorganic Nanocomposites
Characterization of Polymer - Inorganic Nanocomposites
Applications of Polymer - Inorganic Nanocomposites
Application of Magnetic Fe3O4-Based Nanocomposites
Applications of ZnO-Based Nanocomposites
Applications of Magnetic Fluid

THEORY AND SIMULATION IN NANOCOMPOSITES
Introduction
Analytical and Numerical Techniques
Formation of Nanocomposites
Mechanical Properties
Mechanical Failure
Thermal Properties
Barrier Properties
Rheological Properties
Conclusions

CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOCOMPOSITES BY SCATTERING METHODS
Introduction
X-Ray Diffraction and Scattering
Neutron Scattering
Light Scattering

MECHANICAL - VISCOELASTIC CHARACTERIZATION IN NANOCOMPOSITES
Introduction
Factors Affecting the Mechanical Behavior of Nanocomposites
Micromechanical Models for Nanocomposites
Mechanical Characterization of Nanocomposites under Static Loading
Characterization by Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis
Mechanical Characterization by Means of Indentation Techniques
Fracture Toughness Characterization of Nanocomposites
Conclusions

CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOCOMPOSITES BY OPTICAL ANALYSIS
Introduction
Influence of Nanoparticles on the Visual Aspect of Nanocomposites
Characterization of Appearance
Characterization by UV - Visible Spectrophotometry
Characterization by Optical Microscopy

CHARACTERIZATION OF MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF NANOCOMPOSITES
Introduction
The Influence of the Molding Temperature on the Density of the Nanocomposite Samples Based on the Low-Density Polyethylene
Experimental Study of the Temperature Dependence of the Permittivity of the Nanocomposite Materials
Elastic and Viscous Properties of the Nanocomposite Films Based on the Low-Density Polyethylene Matrix
Effect of the Nanoparticle Material Density on the Acoustic Parameters of Nanocomposites Based on the Low-Density
Polyethylene
Conclusions

BARRIER PROPERTIES OF NANOCOMPOSITES
Introduction
Nanocomposites from Ceramic Oxides
Nanocomposites from Nanotubes
Layered Silicate Nanocomposites
Composite Models of Permeation
Techniques Used to Study the Permeability of Polymers and Nanocomposites
Calculation of Breakthrough Time
Applications
Conclusions

POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES CHARACTERIZED BY THERMAL ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES
Introduction
Thermal Analysis Methods
Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis
Thermal Mechanical Analysis
Conclusions

CARBON NANOTUBE-FILLED POLYMER COMPOSITES
Introduction
Processing Methods
Novel Approaches
Mechanical Properties of Composite Materials
Basic Theory of Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials
Stress Transfer Efficiency in Composites
Mechanical Properties: Selected Literature Data
Electrical Properties of Composite Materials
Electrical Properties: Selected Literature Data
CNT - Polymer Composite Applications

APPLICATIONS OF POLYMER-BASED NANOCOMPOSITES
Introduction
Preparation of Polymer-Based Nanocomposites
Applications of Nanocomposites
Energy Conversion and Storage Capacity and Applications
Biodegradability and Applications
Conclusion and Outlook

HEALTH HAZARDS AND RECYCLING AND LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF NANOMATERIALS AND THEIR COMPOSITES
Introduction
Health Hazards of Inorganic Nanoparticles
Nanocomposite Life Cycles and Life Cycle Assessment
Life Cycle Assessment of Nanoparticles and Nanocomposites in Practice
Nanocomposite Life Cycle Management, Including Recycling
Reducing Nanoparticle-Based Health Hazards and Risks Associated with Nanocomposite Life Cycles
Conclusion

Sabu Thomas is a Professor of Polymer Science and Engineering at Mahatma Gandhi University (India). He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a Fellow of the New York Academy of Sciences. Thomas has published over 430 papers in peer reviewed journals on polymer composites, membrane separation, polymer blend and alloy, and polymer recycling research and has edited 17 books. He has supervised 60 doctoral students.

Kuruvilla Joseph is a Professor of Chemistry at Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (India). He has held a number of visiting research fellowships and has published over 50 papers on polymer composites and blends.

S. K. Malhotra is Chief Design Engineer andHead of the Composites Technology Centre at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. He has published over 100 journal and proceedings papers on polymer and alumina?zirconia composites.

Koichi Goda is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Yamaguchi University. His major scientific fields of interest are reliability and engineering analysis of composite materials and development and evaluation of environmentally friendly and other advanced composite materials.

M. S. Sreekala is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Post Graduate Department of Chemistry, SreeSankara College, Kalady (India). She has published over 40 papers on polymer composites (including biodegradable and green composites) in peer reviewed journals and has held a number of Scientific Positions and Research Fellowships including those from the Humboldt Foundation, Germany, and Japan Society for Promotion of Science, Japan.

S. Thomas, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, India; K. Joseph, Indian Institute of Space, Science, and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, India; S. K. Malhotra, Composites Technology Centre, Chennai, India; K. Goda, Yamaguchi University, Ube, Japan; M. S. Sreekala, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, India