With its focus on the characterization of nanocomposites using such techniques as x-ray diffraction and spectrometry, light and electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, as well as nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy, this book helps to correctly interpret the recorded data. Each chapter introduces a particular characterization method, along with its foundations, and makes the user aware of its benefits, but also of its drawbacks. As a result, the reader will be able to reliably predict the microstructure of the synthesized polymer nanocomposite and its thermal and mechanical properties, and so assess its suitability for a particular application. Belongs on the shelf of every product engineer.

Vikas Mittalis an Assistant Professor at the Chemical Engineering Department of The Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi. 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 Materials Scientist in the Active and Intelligent Coatings section of SunChemical in London, UK and as Polymer Engineer at BASF Polymer Research in Ludwigshafen, Germany. 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.

CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOCOMPOSITE MATERIALS: AN OVERVIEW Introduction Characterization of Morphology and Properties Examples of Characterization Techniques THERMAL CHARACTERIZATION OF FILLERS AND POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES Introduction TGA of Fillers TGA of Polymer Nanocomposites DSC of Fillers DSC of Composites FLAME RETARDANDY CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES Introduction Types of Flame Retardant Nanoadditives Thermal, Flammability, and Smoke Characterization Techniques Thermal and Flame Retardancy of Polymer Nanocomposites PVT CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMERIC NANOCOMPOSITES Introduction Components of Polymeric Nanocomposites Pressure-Volume-Temperature (PVT) Measurements Derivatives; Compressibility and Thermal Expansion Coefficient Thermodynamic Theories Thermodynamic Interaction Coefficients Theoretical Predictions Summary and Conclusions FOLLOWING THE NANOCOMPOSITES SYNTHESIS BY RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY AND X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY (XPS) Nanocomposites Based on POSS and Polymer Matrix Raman and XPS Applied in Synthesis of Nanocomposites Based on Carbon Nanotubes and Polymers TRIBOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES Introduction Tribological Fundamentals Wear Experiments Selection Criteria Design of Polymer Nanocomposites and Multiscale-Composites Selected Experimental Results DIELECTRIC RELAXATION SPECTROSCOPY FOR POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES Introduction Theory of Dielectric Relaxation Spectroscopy PVDF/Clay Nanocomposites PVDF/BaTiO3 Nanocomposites PVDF/Fe3O4 Nanocomposites Comparative Analysis of PVDF Nanocomposites Conclusions AFM CHARACTERIZATION OF POLMYER NANOCOMPOSITES Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) Elasticity Measured by AFM Example Studies Conclusion ELECTRON PARAMAGNETIC RESONANCE AND SOLID-STATE NMR STUDIES OF THE SURFACTANT INTERPHASE IN POLYMER-CLAY NANOCOMPOSITES Introduction NMR, EPR and Spin Labeling Techniques Characterization of Organically Modified Layered Silicates Characterization of Nanocomposites Conclusion CHARACTERIZATION OF RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES Introduction Fundamental Rheological Theory for Studying Polymer Nanocomposites Characterization of Rheological Properties of Polymer Nanocomposites Conclusions SEGMENTAL DYNAMICS OF POLYMERS IN POLYMER/CLAY NANOCOMPOSITES STUDIED BY SPIN-LABELING ESR Introduction Spin-Labeling: Basic Principles Exfoliated Poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA)/Clay Nanocomposites Intercalated Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/Clay Nanocomposites Conclusions CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITE COLLOIDS BY SEDIMENTATION ANALYSIS Introduction Materials and Experimental Methods Results and Discussion Conclusions BIODEGRADABILITY CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES Introduction Methods of Measuring Biodegradation Standards for Biodegradation Biodegradable Nanocomposites Starch Nanocomposites PCL Nanocomposites PHA/PHB Nanocomposites Nanocomposites of Petrochemical Based Polymer Conclusions