Optimization of Polymer Nanocomposite Properties

PrefacePOLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES: SYNTHESIS, MICROSTRUCTURE, AND PROPERTIESIntroductionMeans of Synthesis and MicrostructureImportance of Thermogravimetric Analysis and X-Ray Diffraction for Filler and Nanocomposite Microstructure CharacterizationPolar and Nonpolar Polymer SystemsAdvances in Filler Surface ModificationsPrediction of Composite PropertiesMORPHOLOGY DEVELOPMENT IN THERMOSET NANOCOMPOSITESIntroductionEpoxy Nanocomposite SystemsEffects of Processing and AgingOther Thermoset Nanocomposite SystemsRecent Advances in Thermoset NanocompositesSummaryMORPHOLOGY AND INTERFACE DEVELOPMENT IN RUBBER-CLAY NANOCOMPOSITESIntroductionMelt CompoundingMORPHOLOGY DEVELOPMENT IN POLYOLEFIN NANOCOMPOSITESIntroductionIntercalation, Exfoliation, and Dispersion of MMTCrystallization and Crystalline Structure of Matrix PolymersMorphology Development in ProcessingConclusionsRHEOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITESIntroductionRheological Behavior of Polymer Nanocomposites in Solution StateRheological Behavior of Polymer Nanocomposites in Melt State ConclusionsMECHANICAL PROPERTY ENHANCEMENT OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITESIntroductionMaterial StiffnessUltimate Mechanical PropertiesConclusionsSTRESS TRANSFER AND FRACTURE MECHANISMS IN CARBON NANOTUBE-REINFORCED POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITESIntroductionExperimental StudiesMechanical Behavior of Polymer Nanocomposites and Stress TransferFracture Mechanics of CNT-Polymer NanocompositesConcluding RemarksBARRIER RESISTANCE GENERATION IN POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITESIntroductionTheory of PermeationBarrier Generation in Polar NanocompositesBarrier Generation in Nonpolar NanocompositesModeling of Barrier Properties of CompositesMECHANISMS OF THERMAL STABILITY ENHANCEMENT IN POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITESIntroductionThe Mechanisms of Thermal Stability Improvement by Different NanofillersConcluding RemarksMECHANISMS OF TRIBOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT IN POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITESIntroductionNanoparticle ReinforcementsCarbon NanotubesSynthetic Roles of

Vikas Mittal is a polymer engineer at BASF Polymer Research in Ludwigshafen, Germany. He obtained his PhD in 2006 in Polymer and Materials Engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland. Later, he worked as a Materials Scientist in the Active and Intelligent Coatings section of SunChemical in London, UK. His research interests include polymer nanocomposites, novel filler surface modifications, thermal stability enhancements, polymer latexes with functionalized surfaces etc. He has authored over 40 scientific publications, book chapters and patents on these subjects.