Fundamentals, Properties, and Applications of Polymer Nanocomposites

This book is focused primarily on polymer nanocomposites, based on the author's research experience as well as open literature. The environmental health and safety aspects of nanomaterials and polymer nanocomposites, risk assessment and safety standards, and fire toxicity of polymer nanocomposites, are studied. In the final chapter, a brief overview of opportunities, trends, and challenges of polymer nanocomposites are included. Throughout the book, the theme is developed that polymer nanocomposites are a whole family of polymeric materials whose properties are capable of being tailored to meet specific applications. This volume serves as a general introduction to students and researchers just entering the field and to scholars from other subfields seeking information.

Part I. Fundamentals, Processing, and Characterization: 1. Introduction to nanotechnology; 2. An overview of nanomaterials; 3. Basics of polymer matrices and composites; 4. Selecting resin matrix and nanomaterials for applications; 5. Processing of multifunctional polymer nanocomposites; 6. Structure and properties characterization; Part II. Multifunctional Properties and Applications: 7. Mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites; 8. Thermal properties of polymer nanocomposites; 9. Flammability properties of polymer nanocomposites; 10. Ablation properties of polymer nanocomposites; 11. Electrical properties of polymer nanocomposites; 12. Optical properties of polymer nanocomposites; 13. Other enhanced properties of polymer nanocomposites; Part III. Concerns and Outlook: 14. Nanotechnology environmental and health impacts for nanomaterials and polymer nanocomposites; 15. Opportunities, trends, and challenges for polymer nanocomposites.

Joseph Koo is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas, Austin. His research focuses on polymer nanocomposites and multifunctional materials and structures for extreme environments, including solid rocket-motor insulation, nozzle ablative, motor case materials, and insensitive munitions. He is the author of a textbook, Polymer Nanocomposites: Processing, Characterization and Applications and more than 400 research publications. He is a Fellow of the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE), and an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).