Polymer Nanocomposites Towards Multi-Functionality [Paperback]

This highlights ongoing research efforts on different aspectsof polymer nanocomposites and explores their potentials to exhibitmulti-functional properties. Inthis context, it addresses both fundamental and advanced concepts, whiledelineating the parameters and mechanisms responsible for these potentials. Aspects considered includeembrittlement/toughness; wear/scratchbehaviour; thermalstability and flame retardancy;barrier, electrical and thermal conductivity; andoptical and magnetic properties.

Further, the book was writtenas a coherent unit rather than a collection of chapters on differenttopics. As such, theresults, analyses and discussions presented herein provide a guide for thedevelopment of a new class of multi-functional nanocomposites. Offering aninvaluable resource for materials researchers and postgraduate students in thepolymer composites field, theywill also greatly benefit materials  

Polymer nanocomposites, a representative class of nanostructured materials have the potential to show superior multi-functional properties even at low filler loadings compared to conventional macro- and micro-composites. This is often attributed to the availability of large numbers of nanoparticles with huge interfacial areas and the confinement of polymer matrix chains at the nano-level. These characteristics of the nano-reinforcements, if fully exploited, will result in the achievement of multi-functional (that is, unique combinations of mechanical, physical, optical, electrical, magnetic and thermal) properties required for a spectrum of applications and are unachievable with traditional materials. However, despite some promising and inspiring results with clay/carbon nanotubes (and other nanoparticles) as fillers in polymers, there are several fundamental issues which need to be resolved to tailor a combination of physical, mechanical or other functional properties of the resultant nanocomposites requiredl*