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.
Chehimi, Mohamed M.: - Mohamed M. Chehimi is the Research Director at French CNRS. He obtained a PhD in Physical Organic Chemistry at the University Paris Diderot in 1988, and joined CNRS in 1989 for a permanent researcher position. He has been promoted Research Director Grade 1 (DR1) in 2011. His research topics include the design of reactive and functional polymer and nanocomposite coatings. In the recent years he has spent time and effort developing aryldiazonium salts as new coupling agents in materials science. The applications encompass adsorbents, electrochemical sensors, fillers, antibacterial surfaces and electronic devices. He is also a specialist of XPS analysis of a broad range of materials including polymer composites. He has published over 250 research papers and 20 book chapters. He is the editor of three books and guest-edited three themed issues. He has supervised over 20 PhD theses and collaborated with academic researchers from 15 countries.
Jlassi, Khouloud: - Dr. Jlassi Khouloud is a post-doctoral researcher fellow in Qatar University, Centre of Advanced Materials, working with Professor Igor Krupa (NPRP award [8-878-1-172]) from Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar foundation). She is a doctor in Chemistry from the Paris Diderot (ITODYS) lab in 'Chemistry of materials and functional surfaces'. She is involved in the interface chemistry of nanoclay using either silanes or diazonium salts bearing polymerization initiator groups or polymerizable moieties. She prepares Vinylic and conjugated polymers in situ, in the presence of the modified clays leading to highly exfoliated clay/polymer nanocomposites, using the latter in catalysis as nanofillers for polymer matrix for the development of adhesives with very high performance for a variety of applications. Dr. Khouloud has published many papers in international peer-reviewed journals in the area of applied clay. Previously, she was working as an assistant professor in the higher institute of environmental science and technologies in Tunisia for 4 years. Dr Khouloud has many international collaborations with Hong Kong, Turkey, the United States, and 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.
