This volume explores the latest developments in the area of polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) used for high-temperature fuel cells. Featuring contributions from an international array of researchers, it presents a unified viewpoint on the operating principles of fuel cells, various methodologies used for the fabrication of PEMs, and issues related to the chemical and mechanical stabilities of the membranes. Special attention is given to the fabrication of electrospun nanocomposite membranes. The editors have consciously placed an emphasis on developments in the area of fast-growing and promising PEM materials obtained via hygroscopic inorganic fillers, solid proton conductors, heterocyclic solvents, ionic liquids, anhydrous H3PO4 blends, and heteropolyacids. This book is intended for fuel cell researchers and students who are interested in a deeper understanding of the organic–inorganic membranes used in fuel cells, membrane fabrication methodologies, properties and clean energy applications.
This Special Issue deals with the fascinating material class of nanocomposites consisting of extremely small particles (nanoparticles) which are embedded in polymers. Such materials are of paramount interest in various disciplines, especially chemistry, physics, biomedicine and materials science. Due to the diversity of the components of nanocomposites, they provide a broad spectrum of material properties and applications. The versatility of nanocomposites is indeed reflected by the research covered in this Special Issue. The field of nanocomposites includes innovative science and a source of inspiration for currently relevant economic topics as well as for envisaged technologies of the future. Indeed, this volume alludes to strategies for the preparation of nanocomposites and possibilities for a variety of applications, such as catalytic reactions, gas barriers, high refractive index materials, corrosion protection, electromagnetic inference (EMI) shielding, lithium ion batteries, tissue engineering and plastic surgery.
Nanocomposite materials are multiphase materials where the interactions between the different components are enhanced by their intimate contact. Indeed, this emerging class of innovative materials guarantees excellent macroscopic properties by taking advantage of the peculiar characteristics that nanometer-sized fillers give to a suitable matrix compared to those obtainable with the same fillers at micrometric dimensions. These innovative materials improve and extend the range of desirable properties. Diverse Applications of Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposites: Emerging Research and Opportunities s a pivotal reference source that provides vital research on the application of organic-inorganic nanocomposite materials within various professional disciplines and in different human activities. While highlighting topics such as photocatalysis, atomistic modeling, and membrane separation, this publication explores the strengths and weaknesses of nanocomposites as well as future concepts and devices. This book is ideally designed for chemists, biologists, engineers, researchers, government professionals, academicians, and postgraduate students.
This book provides an overview of polymer nanocomposites and hybrid materials with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS). Among inorganic nanoparticles, functionalized POSS are unique nano-building blocks that can be used to create a wide variety of hybrid and composite materials, where precise control of nanostructures and properties is required. This book describes the influence of incorporation of POSS moieties into (organic) polymer matrices on the mechanical, thermal and flammability behavior of composites and hybrid organic-inorganic materials. Importantly, POSS-containing materials can be bio-functionalized by linking e.g. peptides and growth factors through appropriate surface modification in order to enhance the haemo-compatibility of cardiovascular devices made of these materials. This volume includes descriptions of synthesis routes of POSS and POSS-containing polymeric materials (e.g. based on polyolefines, epoxy resins and polyurethanes), presentation of POSS’ role as flame retardants and as biocompatible linker, as well as the depiction of decomposition and ageing processes.
Water is regarded as an important element for sustainable development and many countries are attempting to provide clean water for municipal and industrial sectors. Owning to population explosion, industrial activities, agricultural practices and urbanisation, water bodies are polluted with various pollutants such as dyes, heavy metals, etc.. This first volume focuses on utilization of different promising nanocomposites for water and wastewater remediation. It provides an overview of wastewater treatment technologies, and explores the performace of materials such as organic-inorganic polymer hybrids, hydroxyapatite, magnetic composites (with polymers and biomaterials), zeolites, and so on in water and wastewater decontamination. The present edition takes into account various types of pristine and modified materials in different water treatment methods such as adsorption, catalysis and photocatalysis. Recent advances and developments are discussed in this book, and it provides a valuable resource for researchers and professionals in different fields such as environmental and chemical engineering.
Clay–Polymer Nanocomposites is a complete summary of the existing knowledge on this topic, from the basic concepts of synthesis and design to their applications in timely topics such as high-performance composites, environment, and energy issues. This book covers many aspects of synthesis such as in- situ polymerization within the interlamellar spacing of the clays or by reaction of pristine or pre-modified clays with reactive polymers and prepolymers. Indeed, nanocomposites can be prepared at industrial scale by melt mixing. Regardless the synthesis method, much is said in this book about the importance of theclay pre-modification step, which is demonstrated to be effective, on many occasions, in obtaining exfoliated nanocomposites. Clay–Polymer Nanocomposites reports the background to numerous characterization methods including solid state NMR, neutron scattering, diffraction and vibrational techniques as well as surface analytical methods, namely XPS, inverse gas chromatography and nitrogen adsorption to probe surface composition, wetting and textural/structural properties. Although not described in dedicated chapters, numerous X-ray diffraction patterns of clay–polymer nanocomposites and reference materials are displayed to account for the effects of intercalation and exfoliations of layered aluminosilicates. Finally, multiscale molecular simulation protocols are presenting for predicting morphologies and properties of nanostructured polymer systems with industrial relevance. As far as applications are concerned, Clay–Polymer Nanocomposites examines structural composites such as clay–epoxy and clay–biopolymers, the use of clay–polymer nanocomposites as reactive nanocomposite fillers, catalytic clay-(conductive) polymers and similar nanocomposites for the uptake of hazardous compounds or for controlled drug release, antibacterial applications, energy storage, and more. - The most comprehensive coverage of the state of the art in clay–polymer nanocomposites, from synthesis and design to opportunities and applications - Covers the various methods of characterization of clay–polymer nanocomposites - including spectroscopy, thermal analyses, and X-ray diffraction - Includes a discussion of a range of application areas, including biomedicine, energy storage, biofouling resistance, and more
This book deals with one of the most attractive fields in material science and technology research. In fact, the concept of organic–inorganic hybrid materials is applied to a wide variety of approaches that include materials with inorganic and/or organic nature with respect to their matrices and/or dispersed phase. The present book compiles one editorial and eleven approaches to the topic, and intends to provide a transversal idea about what the field of the so-called organic–inorganic hybrid materials means in actual scientific scenarios. In any case, the role is pointed out of the interphase between the components as the critical aspect to consider, as a way to enhance and understand these components in order to design materials with "tailor-made" organized structures considering the increasing nano-, meso-, micro- and macro-scales.
The book series 'Polymer Nano-, Micro- and Macrocomposites' provides complete and comprehensive information on all important aspects of polymer composite research and development, including, but not limited to synthesis, filler modification, modeling, characterization as well as application and commercialization issues. Each book focuses on a particular topic and gives a balanced in-depth overview of the respective subfield of polymer composite science and its relation to industrial applications. With the books the readers obtain dedicated resources with information relevant to their research, thereby helping to save time and money. Summarizing all the most important synthesis techniques used in the lab as well as in industry, this book is comprehensive in its coverage from chemical, physical and mechanical viewpoints. This book helps readers to choose the correct synthesis route, such as suspension and miniemulsion polymerization, living polymerization, sonication, mechanical methods or the use of radiation, and so achieve the desired composite properties.
Das erste Handbuch und gut zugängliche Referenzwerk zu diesem zunehmend wichtigen Thema erläutert in einem anwendungsorientierten Ansatz Synthese, Design, Charakterisierung und Simulation von Grenzflächen bei hybriden organisch-anorganischen Materialien.
This book covers the latest advances in polymer-inorganic nanocomposites, with particular focus on high-added-value applications in fields including electronics, optics, magnetism and biotechnology. The unique focus of this book is on electronic, optical, magnetic and biomedical applications of hybrid nanocomposites. Coverage includes: Synthesis methods and issues and production scale-up; Characterization methods; Electronic applications; Optical applications and Photonics; Magnetic applications; and Biomedical applications. The book offers readers a solid grasp of the state of the art, and of current challenges in non-traditional applications of hybrid nanocomposites.