Vijay Kumar Thakur

Manju Kumari Thakur

This book exclusively focuses on the science and fundamentals of polymer gels, as well as the numerous advantages that polymer gel-based materials offer. It presents a comprehensive collection of chapters on the recent advances and developments in the core science and fundamentals of both synthetic and natural polymer-based gels, and pays particular attention to applications in the various research fields of biomedicine and engineering. Key topics addressed include: polysaccharide-based gels and their fundamentals; stimuli-responsive polymer gels; polymer gels applied to enzyme and cell immobilization; chitosan-based gels for cancer therapy; natural polymeric and gelling agents; radiation dosimetry; polymeric gels as vehicles for enhanced drug delivery across the skin; transport in and through gel; and polymer gel nanocomposites and functional gels. The book’s extensive and highly topical coverage will appeal to researchers working in a broad range of fields in industry and academia alike.

Science and Fundamentals

Polymer Gels

Michael R. Kessler

The Handbook of Composites From Renewable Materials comprises a set of 8 individual volumes that brings an interdisciplinary perspective to accomplish a more detailed understanding of the interplay between the synthesis, structure, characterization, processing, applications and performance of these advanced materials. The handbook covers a multitude of natural polymers/ reinforcement/ fillers and biodegradable materials. Together, the 8 volumes total at least 5000 pages and offers a unique publication. This 8th volume of the Handbook is solely focused on the Nanocomposites: Advanced Applications. Some of the important topics include but not limited to: virgin and recycled polymers applied to advanced nanocomposites; biodegradable polymer-carbon nanotube composites for water and wastewater treatment; eco-friendly nanocomposites of chitosan with natural extracts, antimicrobial agents and nanometals; controllable generation of renewable nanofibrils from green materials and their application in nanocomposites; nanocellulose and nanocellulose composites; poly (lactic acid) biopolymer composites and nanocomposites for biomedical and biopackaging applications; impact of nanotechnology in water treatment: carbon nanotube and graphene; nanomaterials in energy generation; sustainable green nanocomposites from bacterial bioplastics for food packaging applications; PLA-nanocomposites: a promising material for future from renewable resources; bio-composites from renewable resources: preparation and applications of chitosan-clay nanocomposites; nano materials: an advanced and versatile nano additive for kraft and paper industries; composites and nanocomposites based on polylactic acid obtaining; cellulose-containing scaffolds fabricated by electrospinning: applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery; biopolymer-based nanocomposites for environmental applications; calcium phosphate nanocomposites for biomedical and dental applications: recent developments; chitosan-metal nanocomposites: synthesis, characterization and applications; multi-carboxyl functionalized nano-cellulose/nano-bentonite composite for the effective removal and recovery of metal ions; biomimetic gelatin nanocomposite as a scaffold for bone tissue repair; natural starches-blended ionotropically-gelled microparticles/beads for sustained drug release and ferrogels: smart materials for biomedical and remediation applications.

Advanced Applications

Handbook of Composites from Renewable Materials, Nanocomposites

K. S. Joshy

Thomas Sabu

​This volume covers current research in the usage of magnetic nanoparticles for drug delivery. It discusses synthesis methods, stabilizers used for surface coating on MNPs, and potential target ligands which can be used to ferry payloads to the targeted disease region. It also highlights the factors affecting delivery efficiency and toxicity, as well as the different routes of administration. The content also focus on the use of these carriers for gene therapy and to target brain tumors. This volume will be of interest to researchers working on drug discovery and delivery platforms.

A New Platform for Drug Delivery

Magnetic Nanoparticles

The increasing consumption of different kinds of polymer based materials results in huge amount of waste materials. Once the polymers have fulfilled the function for which they have been manufactured, they are disposed of in landills in large amounts each year, which is incompatible with current environmental goals. The disposal of polymer based plastics such as incineration and landfill results in environmental pollution and land occupation.These current levels of polymer disposal are not sustainable and polymer recycling, which is one of the most important actions currently available to reduce the negative impacts, receives increasing attention. Recycling provides opportunities to reduce oil usage, carbon dioxide emissions and the quantities of polymer wastes, as well as the negative impacts of disposal. Using recycled polymer wastes to replace virgin materials in some applications, such as non-food packaging and automotive components, can effectively decrease the demand of the amount of import oil and conserve raw materials. Further it can also lead to the energy saving and creating new jobs. Considering all the positive impacts of polymer recycling on environment, economy and society, considerable attention is being given to recover materials from polymer wastes.This book is ideal for all those who are interested in recycling of post-consumer polymer waste. It is the outcome of untiring efforts of the researchers with extensive experience in the field of recycled polymers. The book enables the reader to gain a thorough understanding of the chemistry and processing of recycled polymers and also provides an instrumental resource for those already working in this field.Some of the main features are:Highlights the chemistry of recycled polymers and compares with traditional polymersDiscusses the processing of different kinds of recycled polymersHighlights new frontiers in the different processing techniquesEvaluates the performance of recycled polymersFocus on recyclability and up-to date progress on recycled polymersPresent state of polymer recycling

Chemistry and Processing, Volume 1

Recycled Polymers

The 21st century offers vast challenges for researchers all around the globe, especially regarding the effective use of sustainable polymers and their materials for different applications. With this focus, sustainable polymers are now rising as one of the most feasible alternatives to traditional synthetic polymers/materials for a variety of industrial uses. This book is an archival reference for researchers and students working in the field of sustainable polymers and their applications in industry. It focuses on the processing and applications of diverse sustainable polymers procured from different biorenewable resources that have been rarely reported so far in a single book.

Processing and Applications

Handbook of Sustainable Polymers

Stefan Ioan Voicu

This book summarizes the recent advances in the science and engineering of polymer-gel-based materials in different fields. It also discusses the extensive research developments for the next generation of smart materials. It takes an in-depth look at the current perspectives and market opportunities while pointing to new possibilities and applications. The book addresses important topics such as stimuli responsive polymeric nanoparticles for cancer therapy; polymer gel containing metallic materials; chemotherapeutic applications in oncology; conducting polymer-based gels and their applications in biological sensors; imprinted polymeric gels for pharmaceutical and biomedical purposes; applications of biopolymeric gels in the agricultural sector; application of polymer gels and their nanocomposites in electrochemistry; smart polyelectrolyte gels as a platform for biomedical applications; agro-based polymer gels and their application in purification of industrial water wastes; polymer gel composites for bio-applications. It will be of interest to researchers working in both industry and academia.

Perspectives and Applications

This book addresses a range of synthesis and characterization techniques that are critical for tailoring and broadening the various aspects of polymer gels, as well as the numerous advantages that polymer gel-based materials offer. It presents a comprehensive collection of chapters on the recent advances and developments in the science and fundamentals of both synthetic and natural polymer-based gels. Topics covered include: synthesis and structure of physically/chemically cross-linked polymer-gels/polymeric nanogels; gel formation through non-covalent cross-linking; molecular design and characterization; polysaccharide-based polymer gels: synthesis, characterization, and properties; modified polysaccharide gels: silica-based polymeric gels as platforms for the delivery of pharmaceuticals; gel-based approaches in genomic and proteomic sciences; emulgels in drug delivery; and organogels. The book provides a cutting-edge resource for researchers and scientists working in various fields involving polymers, biomaterials, bio-nanotechnology and functional materials.

Synthesis and Characterization

This book discusses recent advances in hydrogels, including their generation and applications and presents a compendium of fundamental concepts. It highlights the most important hydrogel materials, including physical hydrogels, chemical hydrogels, and nanohydrogels and explores the development of hydrogel-based novel materials that respond to external stimuli, such as temperature, pressure, pH, light, biochemicals or magnetism, which represent a new class of intelligent materials. With their multiple cooperative functions, hydrogel-based materials exhibit different potential applications ranging from biomedical engineering to water purification systems. This book covers key topics including superabsorbent polymer hydrogel; intelligent hydrogels for drug delivery; hydrogels from catechol-conjugated materials; nanomaterials loaded hydrogel; electrospinning of hydrogels; biopolymers-based hydrogels; injectable hydrogels; interpenetrating-polymer-network hydrogels: radiation- and sonochemical synthesis of micro/nano/macroscopic hydrogels; DNA-based hydrogels; and multifunctional applications of hydrogels. It will prove a valuable resource for researchers working in industry and academia alike.

Recent Advances

Hydrogels

Green polymer materials from biomass-based natural resources are of paramount importance in a range of applications, from biomedicine to biocomposites. Indeed, during the last few years there has been increasing demand for green biocomposites obtained from renewable and sustainable biomass-based resources. Plants, grasses, straws, agriculture residues, algae, water plants etc. are among one of the most promising and the most abundant bio-based resources of biopolymers on earth and they are an indispensable component in biocomposites. One of the important features of biomass-based materials is that they can be designated and tailored to meet different requirements depending upon the application. Renewability, low cost, eco-friendliness, ease of processing, non-abrasiveness and relevant mechanical as well as physico-chemical properties are among the most important advantages of using biomass-based materials for the development of green biocomposites. The prime aim of this book is to give an overview on different kinds of biomass-based biocomposites for a range of applications, from biocomposites to biomedicine. This book is unique in the sense that it deals exclusively with biomass-based biocomposites that are procured from the biopolymers found in nature. In addition, it covers novel topics related to the synthesis, properties, characterization and diverse applications of different biomass-based biocomposites including nanocomposites. Some of the main features are: An overview of the applications of biomass-based biocomposites in different fields to provide researchers/students with a thorough insight into the various systems. An up-to-date working reference on biomass-based biocomposites, including state-of-the-art techniques and developments in the field. Although the commercial applications of these biocomposites are in their infancy, these materials have a huge commercial potential. In setting out the next generation of advances in eco-friendly biomass-based biocomposites, this book opens the way for further developments in the field. A review of the wealth of research on new biomass-based polymers, together with their applications. Biomass-based Biocomposites will be a standard reference book for biocomposites engineers and all those studying and researching in this important area, as well as those in the automotive industry. Professionals in academia and industry will appreciate the multidisciplinary nature of this comprehensive and practical reference book.

Biomass-based Biocomposites

Biorenewable polymers based nanomaterials are rapidly emerging as one of the most fascinating materials for multifunctional applications. Among biorenewable polymers, cellulose based nanomaterials are of great importance due to their inherent advantages such as environmental friendliness, biodegradability, biocompatibility, easy processing and cost effectiveness, to name a few. They may be produced from biological systems such as plants or be chemically synthesised from biological materials. This book summarizes the recent remarkable achievements witnessed in green technology of cellulose based nanomaterials in different fields ranging from biomedical to automotive. This book also discusses the extensive research developments for next generation nanocellulose-based polymer nanocomposites. The book contains seventeen chapters and each chapter addresses some specific issues related to nanocellulose and also demonstrates the real potentialities of these nanomaterials in different domains. The key features of the book are: Synthesis and chemistry of nanocellulose from different biorenewable resources Different characterization of nanocellulosic materials and their respective polymer nanocomposites Physico-chemical, thermal and mechanical investigation of nanocellulose based polymer nanocomposites Provides elementary information and rich understanding of the present state-of- art of nanocellulose-based materials Explores the full range of applications of different nanocellulose-based materials.

Fundamentals and Applications

Nanocellulose Polymer Nanocomposites

This book contains precisely referenced chapters, emphasizing environment-friendly polymer nanocomposites with basic fundamentals, practicality and alternatives to traditional nanocomposites through detailed reviews of different environmental friendly materials procured from different resources, their synthesis and applications using alternative green approaches. The book aims at explaining basics of eco-friendly polymer nanocomposites from different natural resources and their chemistry along with practical applications which present a future direction in the biomedical, pharmaceutical and automotive industry. The book attempts to present emerging economic and environmentally friendly polymer nanocomposites that are free from side effects studied in the traditional nanocomposites. This book is the outcome of contributions by many experts in the field from different disciplines, with various backgrounds and expertises. This book will appeal to researchers as well as students from different disciplines. The content includes industrial applications and will fill the gap between the research works in laboratory to practical applications in related industries.

Processing and Properties

Eco-friendly Polymer Nanocomposites

Biopolymer Grafting: Synthesis and Properties presents the latest research and developments in fundamental of synthesis and properties of biopolymer-based graft copolymers. The book presents a broad overview of the biopolymer grafting process, along with trends in the field. It also introduces a range of grafting methods which lead to materials with enhanced properties for a range of practical applications, along with the positives and limitations of these techniques. The book bridges the knowledge gap between the scientific principles and industrial applications of polymer grafting. This book covers synthesis and characterization of graft-copolymers of plant polysaccharides, functional separation membranes from grafted biopolymers, and polysaccharides in alternative methods for insulin delivery. Recent trends and advances in this area are discussed, assisting materials scientists and researchers in mapping out the future of these new "green" materials through value addition to enhance their use. Introduces polymer researchers to a promising, rapidly developing method for modifying naturally derived biopolymers Provides a one-stop shop covering synthesis, properties, characterization and graft copolymerization of bio-based polymeric materials Increases familiarity with a range of biopolymer grafting processes, enabling materials scientists and engineers to improve material properties and widen the range of potential biopolymer applications

Biopolymer Grafting: Synthesis and Properties

Asokan Pappu

Hybrid Polymer Composite Materials: Applications provides a clear understanding of the present state of-the-art and the growing utility of hybrid polymer composite materials. It includes contributions from world renowned experts and discusses the combination of different kinds of materials procured from diverse resources. In addition, this volume from the four volume series provides deep insights on the potential of hybrid polymer composite materials for advanced applications. Provides a clear understanding of the present state-of-the-art and the growing utility of hybrid polymer composite materials Includes contributions from world renowned experts and discusses the combination of different kinds of materials procured from diverse resources Discusses their synthesis, chemistry, processing, fundamental properties, and applications Provides insights on the potential of hybrid polymer composite materials for advanced applications

Applications

Hybrid Polymer Composite Materials

Polymers are one of the most fascinating materials of the present era finding their applications in almost every aspects of life. Polymers are either directly available in nature or are chemically synthesized and used depending upon the targeted applications.Advances in polymer science and the introduction of new polymers have resulted in the significant development of polymers with unique properties. Different kinds of polymers have been and will be one of the key in several applications in many of the advanced pharmaceutical research being carried out over the globe. This 4-partset of books contains precisely referenced chapters, emphasizing different kinds of polymers with basic fundamentals and practicality for application in diverse pharmaceutical technologies. The volumes aim at explaining basics of polymers based materials from different resources and their chemistry along with practical applications which present a future direction in the pharmaceutical industry. Each volume offer deep insight into the subject being treated. Volume 1: Structure and Chemistry Volume 2: Processing and Applications Volume 3: Biodegradable Polymers Volume 4: Bioactive and Compatible Synthetic/Hybrid Polymers

Handbook of Polymers for Pharmaceutical Technologies, Structure and Chemistry

Soy and its coproducts are rapidly emerging as one of the most prominent sustainable plastics of the 21st century. The relative abundance of soy and its functional and thermoplastic properties, low cost, and biodegradable characteristics have made it a material of great interest for widespread use in the plastics industry. As most of the functional properties of the final products are directly related to the physico-chemical properties of the raw material, a detailed knowledge of the inherent characteristics of soy-based materials is essential for understanding and manipulating their properties for better end-user applications.This book summarises in a most comprehensive manner the recent technical research accomplishments in the area of soy-based bioplastics. The prime aim and focus of this book is to present recent advances in the processing and applications of soy-based biopolymers as potential bioplastics. It reflects recent theoretical advances and experimental results, and opens new avenues for researchers as well as readers working in the field of plastics and sustainable materials.The different topics covered in this book include: structural analysis of soy-based materials; soy/biopolymer blends; films, fibres, foams, and composites; and different advanced applications. In addition, several critical issues and suggestions for future work are comprehensively discussed in the hope that the book will provide a deep insight into the state of the art of soy-based bioplastics. The book is unique, with contributions from leading experts in the bioplastics research area, and is a useful reference for scientists, academics, research scholars, and technologists.

Soy-Based Bioplastics

The Handbook of Composites From Renewable Materials comprises a set of 8 individual volumes that brings an interdisciplinary perspective to accomplish a more detailed understanding of the interplay between the synthesis, structure, characterization, processing, applications and performance of these advanced materials. The handbook covers a multitude of natural polymers/ reinforcement/ fillers and biodegradable materials. Together, the 8 volumes total at least 5000 pages and offers a unique publication. This 6th volume Handbook is solely focused on Polymeric Composites. Some of the important topics include but not limited to: Keratin as renewable material for developing polymer composites; natural and synthetic matrices; hydrogels in tissue engineering; smart hydrogels: application in bioethanol production; principle renewable biopolymers; application of hydrogel biocomposites for multiple drug delivery; nontoxic holographic materials; bioplasticizer - epoxidized vegetable oils-based poly (lactic acid) blends and nanocomposites; preparation, characterization and adsorption properties of poly (DMAEA) – cross-linked starch gel copolymer in waste water treatments; study of chitosan crosslinking hydrogels for absorption of antifungal drugs using molecular modelling; pharmaceutical delivery systems composed of chitosan; eco-friendly polymers for food packaging; influence of surface modification on the thermal stability and percentage of crystallinity of natural abaca fiber; influence of the use of natural fibers in composite materials assessed on a life cycle perspective; plant polysaccharides-blended ionotropically-gelled alginate multiple-unit systems for sustained drug release; vegetable oil based polymer composites; applications of chitosan derivatives in wastewater treatment; novel lignin-based materials as a products for various applications; biopolymers from renewable resources and thermoplastic starch matrix as polymer units of multi-component polymer systems for advanced applications; chitosan composites: preparation and applications in removing water pollutants and recent advancements in biopolymer composites for addressing environmental issues.

Handbook of Composites from Renewable Materials, Polymeric Composites

Chemistry and Applications

Elisabete Frollini

Janet Scott

Cellulose Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Manufacturing concentrates on advanced high performance cellulose nanocomposites.

Cellulose Nanoparticles: Volumes 2

This highly informative and carefully presented book covers the most recent advances as well as comprehensive reviews addressing novel and state-of-the-art topics from active researchers in innovative advanced materials and hybrid materials, concerning not only their synthesis, preparation, and characterization but especially focusing on the applications of such materials with outstanding performance.

Vijay Kumar Thakur

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