CRC Press Carbon Nanotubes for Polymer Reinforcement

Product Description Discovered in the twentieth century, carbon nanotubes (CNT) were an integral part of science and industry by the beginning of the twenty first century, revolutionizing chemistry, physics, and materials science. More recent advances in carbon nanotube production methods have resulted in a tremendous push to incorporate CNTs into polymer matrices. Although many advances have been made, two major obstacles continue unresolved: the enhancement of interfacial adhesion between CNTs and polymer matrix, and the improvement of dispersion of CNTs in polymers. Both substantial original contributors to the field, the authors present Carbon Nanotubes for Polymer Reinforcement, the first monograph on various conventional and innovative techniques to disperse and functionalize carbon nanotubes for polymer reinforcement, elegantly explaining the basic sciences and technologies involved in those processes. Topics covered include:Use of CNTs in fabricating novel polymer compositesPrinciples and mechanisms behind CNT dispersion and functionalizationMethods for the functionalization and dispersion of CNTs in polymer matricesEffects of CNTs on functional and mechanical properties of polymer compositesOptimization of CNT/polymer nanocomposite fabricationCarbon Nanotubes for Polymer Reinforcement is a comprehensive treatment and critical review of the new class of polymer nanocomposites, and points to areas of future developments. Composites engineers, scientists, researchers, and students will find the basic knowledge and technical results contained herein informative and useful references for their work, whether for advanced research or for design and manufacture of such composites. Review Researchers working in the field of CNTs will greatly appreciate the convenience of this compilation that describes dispersion and functionalization of CNT into polymer composites. … researchers new to this field of research would greatly benefit from the clear and comprehensive review of these two critical parameters and will quickly gain a deep technical insight into the details.―IEEE Electrical Insulation Magazine, March/April 2012 About the Author Peng-Cheng Ma is currently a Humboldt Postdoctoral Researcher at the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research in Dresden, Germany. Jang-Kyo Kim is currently a Professor, Associate Dean of Engineering and Director of the Finextex-HKUST R&D Center at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.