Introduction to Polymer-clay Nanocomposites

This book focuses on polymer–clay nanocomposite materials. It introduces readers to polymers, clays, and organo-clay and discusses the nature of interparticle interactions and physical adsorption, which are predominant in the synthesis of organo-clay; conversion of clay to organo-clay; interactions between functional groups in the interlayer region of clay and modifier ions; synthesis of organo-clays and their uses; and the commercial utilization of organo-clays. The text then covers the preparation of polymer–clay nanocomposites and their characterization, properties, performance, and applications.

The primary goal of this book is to aid readers who wish to engage in the research and development of polymer–clay nanocomposites and to offer them an overview of the commonly used polymer–clay nanocomposites and their origins, manufacture, properties, and potential applications. This book will serve as a general introduction to researchers just entering the field and as a useful reference for scholars from other subfields.

Ahmet Gurses is lecturer and researcher in the Department of Chemistry Education, Faculty of Education, Ataturk University, Turkey. He received his master’s degree and doctorate in physical chemistry from Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences, Ataturk University. In 1993, he became an associate professor of physical chemistry at the university. Prof. Gurses is also a member of the Turkish Chemistry Association. His fields of interest are physical chemistry as well as surface chemistry, polymer chemistry, and polymer–clay nanocomposites.

Mehtap Ejder-Korucu received her BS (2001) in chemistry and MS (2004) and PhD (2010) in physical chemistry from Ataturk University. At present, she is at Kafkas University, Turkey. The results of her research have been presented at refereed conferences. She has published several chapters and numerous papers with Prof. Ahmet Gurses on physical chemistry, adsorption, and polymer–clay nanocomposites. Prof. Ejder-Korucu teaches chemistry and physical chemistry courses at Kafkas University. Her research interests are in polymeric materials, adsorption, and polymer–clay nanocomposites.

Cetin Dogar is a member of the Education Faculty at Erzincan University, Turkey. He completed his BA (1996), MS (2000), and PhD (2005) in chemistry from the Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Ataturk University. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in chemistry and the phenomenon in solid–aqueous interface. His research is focused on adsorption processes associated with dye and surfactant and decolorization by electrochemical methods. Prof. Dogar has served as editor of his institute journal from 2008 to 2013. He has published numerous papers on the adsorption of dyes, polymer–clay nanocomposites, and chemistry education in several science journals and conference proceedings.