The Handbook of Natural Polymers, Volume Two: Functionalization, Surface Modification, and Properties covers modifications, functionalization, analysis and properties of polymers from natural sources. The book begins by introducing the current state-of-the-art, challenges and opportunities in natural polymers. This is followed by detailed coverage of methods for chemical, physical and surface modifications, and functionalization of natural polymers, including nanocellulose composites, gluten, chitin, alginate, pectin, keratin, shellac, wool, hemicellulose, lignin, natural rubber, albumin, collagen, gelatin, zein, soya protein, silk fibroin, gutta percha and gum. The final chapters explain several other key aspects, such as microscopical and spectroscopical analysis, mechanical, thermal, and more.
The book aims to offer potential avenues for the preparation, modification, and implementation of advanced natural polymer-based materials with the desired properties for specific applications.
Goda, Koichi: - "Prof. Koichi Goda is Chair of Mechanical Engineering and Full Professor, in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, at Yamaguchi University, Japan. Prof. Goda has significant experience in areas including biopolymers, composite materials, reliability, and nanotechnology, with recent research focusing on green composites. He has received numerous awards for his work in including most recently the Meritorious Contribution Award from JCOM (Committee on Composite Materials of JSMS - The Society of Materials Science, Japan) in 2018, and the JSMS Award for Distinguished Service to Chugoku Branch in 2020."
Ravindran, Lakshmipriya: - Dr. Lakshmipriya Ravindran is a Assistant Professor at the School of Energy Materials, at the Mahatma Gandhi University in India. She has published a good number of scientific articles in the high-impact factor international journals and one of her articles is indexed as "Top Downloaded Article" of the year.
Sreekala, M. S.: - Dr. M. S. Sreekala is a Associate Professor at the School of Chemical Sciences. She is also serving as the Director of the School of Polymer Science and Technology and Joint Director of the School of Nanoscience and Technology and International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kerala, India.
Thomas, Sabu: -
Prof. Sabu Thomas is a Professor of Polymer Science and Engineering and the Director of the School of Energy Materials at Mahatma Gandhi University, India. Additionally, he is the Chairman of the Trivandrum Engineering Science & Technology Research Park (TrEST Research Park) in Thiruvananthapuram, India. He is the founder director of the International and Inter-university Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at Mahatma Gandhi University and the former Vice-Chancellor of the same institution.
Prof. Thomas is internationally recognized for his contributions to polymer science and engineering, with his research interests encompassing polymer nanocomposites, elastomers, polymer blends, interpenetrating polymer networks, polymer membranes, green composites, nanocomposites, nanomedicine, and green nanotechnology. His groundbreaking inventions in polymer nanocomposites, polymer blends, green bionanotechnology, and nano-biomedical sciences have significantly advanced the development of new materials for the automotive, space, housing, and biomedical fields. Dr. Thomas has been conferred with Honoris Causa (DSc) by the University of South Brittany, France.
