Micro- and Nanostructured Polymer Systems From Synthesis to Applications

This book focuses on the recent trends in micro- and nano-structured polymer systems, particularly natural polymers, biopolymers, biomaterials, and their composites, blends, and IPNs. This valuable volume covers the occurrence, synthesis, isolation, production, properties and applications, modification, as well as the relevant analysis techniques to reveal the structures and properties of polymer systems. Biobased polymer blends and composites occupy a unique position in the dynamic world of new biomaterials. The growing need for lubricious coatings and surfaces in medical devices—an outcome of the move from invasive to noninvasive medicines and procedures—is playing a major role in the advancement of biomaterials technology. Natural polymers have attained their cutting-edge technology through various platforms, and this book presents a multitude of information about them. Topics include biopolymer–synthetic systems, nanomaterial–polymer structures, multi-characterization techniques, polymer blends and composites, polymer gels and polyelectrolytes, and many other interesting aspects of interests to researchers. This book will be valuable to scientists, physicians, pharmacists, engineers, and other specialists in a variety of disciplines, both academic and industrial.

Preface Natural Polymer Blends and Their Composites: Micro and Nano Structured Polymer Systems; Jithin Joy, Runcy Wilson, Lovely Mathew P., and Sabu Thomas Performance Enhancement of Polymeric Materials Through Nanotechnology; P. C. Thapliyal Natural Cellulose Fibers: Sources, Isolation, Properties, and Applications; Tanki Mochochoko, Oluwatobi. S. Oluwafemi, Olufemi. O. Adeyemi, and Sandile. P. Songca Starch-Based Biodegradable Composites: Scope in Biomedical and Agricultural Applications; N. Jyothi, P. Parvathy Chandran, Soumya B. Nair, and G. Suja Seaweed Polysaccharides Based New Hydrogel Materials: A Green Approach; Jai Prakash Chaudhary and Ramavatar Meena Edible Nanocomposite Films Based on Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose Reinforced with Bacterial Cellulose Nanocrystals; Johnsy George, S. N. Sabapathy, and Siddaramaiah Synthesis and Characterization of Ph Sensitive Poly (Vinyl Acetate-Co-Methacrylic Acid) Microspheres for Control Release of Acebutolol Hydrochloride; V. Rajinee Kant, S. Ravindra, K. Chowdojirao, S. G. Adoor, and Antoine F. Mulaba-Bafubiandi Carbon Nanoparticle-Based Flexible LLDPE Composites for Enhanced Electromagnetic Shielding Effectiveness; Byron S. Villacorta and Amod A. Ogale Effect of Different Types of Graphene and Graphene Loadings on the Properties of Nitrile Rubber NBR Compounds; Anna Marzec and Marian Zaborski Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticle Sols in Presence of Different Polymeric Stabilizers; Indrajit Sinha, Manjeet Singh, and R. K. Mandal Synthesis of Ag-Cu Alloy Nanoparticles in Presence of Starch, PVP and PVA as Polymeric Stabilizers: Structural and LSPR Studies; Manjeet Singh and I. Sinha, R. K. Mandal Removal of Cr (Vi) from Aqueous Solution by Super Absorbent Poly [N, N-Dapb/N, N-Dmaam/Pnaac] Hydrogels; Yatin N. Patel and Manish P. Patel An Ideal Hydrogel for Removal of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution; Souda P. and Lisa Sreejith Modification of PVC by Blending; Mahuya Das, Rupa Bhattacharyya, and Debabrata Chakrabarty Radiation Protection Properties of Natural Rubber Composites; Edyta Kusiak and Marian Zaborski Barium Sodium Niobate Filled Polystyrene Nanocomposite as a Dielectric Material; Rosalin Abraham, Jayakumari Isac, Nandakumar K., and Sabu Thomas Corrosion Studies of Basalt Fabric Reinforced Epoxy and Polyester Plain-Weave Laminates; C. Anand Chairman and S. P. Kumaresh Babu Structural Investigations of PEO/PVP Polymer Blend Salt Complexes; K. Kiran Kumar, S. Bhavani, M. Ravi, Y. Pavani, A. K. Sharma, and V. V. R. N. Rao A Comparative Study of Metchromasy Induced by Thiazine Dyes; Nandini R, Vishalakshi B. Index

Sabu Thomas, PhD, is a professor of polymer science and engineering at the School of Chemical Sciences and Director of the International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India. He received his BSc degree (1980) in chemistry from the University of Kerala, BTech. (1983) in polymer science and rubber technology from the Cochin University of Science and Technology, and PhD (1987) in polymer engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. The research activities of Professor Thomas include surfaces and interfaces in multiphase polymer blend and composite systems, phase separation in polymer blends, compatibilization of immiscible polymer blends, thermoplastic elastomers, phase transitions in polymers, nanostructured polymer blends, macro-, micro- and nanocomposites, polymer rheology, recycling, reactive extrusion, processing–morphology–property relationships in multiphase polymer systems, double networking of elastomers, natural fibers and green composites, rubber vulcanization, interpenetrating polymer networks, diffusion and transport and polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering. He has supervised 65 PhD theses, 30 MPhil theses, and 40 masters theses. He has three patents to his credit. He also received the coveted Sukumar Maithy Award for the best polymer researcher in the country for the year 2008. Very recently Professor Thomas received the MRSI and CRSI medals for his excellent work. With over 600 publications to his credit and over 17,500 citations, with an h-index of 67, Dr. Thomas has been ranked fifth in India as one of the most productive scientists. Dr. Robert Shanks is a professor of polymer science at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. He is the author of over 230 refereed journal papers, 22 book chapters, 8 patents and 378 conference papers on or related to polymer science. He is the recipient of many awards, including the BHERT (Business Higher Education Round Table) Award for academic–industry collaboration, 2005; RACI Polymer Division Citation, 1990; the CRC Association Award and CRC for Polymers Chairman Award 2005; RMIT University Supervisor of the Year 1997; and RMIT University Most Published Awards 1995, 1996. Dr. Shanks has extensive consulting experience with several major industrial projects with many major companies and small businesses. This work included problem solving related to product failures, production problems and selection of materials. His research interests include synthesis and modification of nano-structured materials and biopolymers with enhanced physical, chemical, and thermal properties; development of functional nano-materials; and the investigation of processes of controlling the self-assembly of nano-structures, with emphasis on thermochemical and thermophysical properties. Jithin Joy is a research scholar in the Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India. He has co-edited the book Natural Rubber Materials: Volume 2: Composites and Nanocomposites and is the author of several articles and conference presentations.