Polymer Nanocomposites ― Towards Multi-functionality

This highlights ongoing research efforts on different aspects of polymer nanocomposites and explores their potentials to exhibit multi-functional properties. In this context, it addresses both fundamental and advanced concepts, while delineating the parameters and mechanisms responsible for these potentials. Aspects considered include embrittlement/toughness; wear/scratch behaviour; thermal stability and flame retardancy; barrier, electrical and thermal conductivity; and optical and magnetic properties.

Further, the book was written as a coherent unit rather than a collection of chapters on different topics. As such, the results, analyses and discussions presented herein provide a guide for the development of a new class of multi-functional nanocomposites. Offering an invaluable resource for materials researchers and postgraduate students in the polymer composites field, they will also greatly benefit materials engineers.

Aravind Dasari graduated in 2003 with an MSc in chemical engineering from Louisiana University, USA. On moving to Sydney, Australia, he was awarded research scholarships by the Australian government and The University of Sydney. In 2007 he obtained a PhD in (Materials) Engineering from the Centre for Advanced Materials Technology (CAMT), The University of Sydney. Dr Dasari continued to work at the CAMT as a post-doctoral fellow for another two years before assuming his current position as a research fellow at the Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies of Materials (IMDEA-Materials), Spain in early 2009.

Zhong-Zhen Yu received his PhD in process engineering from the National Polytechnic Institute of Lorraine, France in 2001 and then worked as a postdoctoral and research fellow at the Centre for Advanced Materials Technology, The University of Sydney, for six years. From 1992 to 1999 he was a research fellow in the State Key Laboratory of Engineering Plastics, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is now a professor of Polymer Engineering in the College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology. His research interests cover many aspects of polymer blends, composites and nanocomposites, including toughening and strengthening with rigid particles and fibers, fracture behaviour, flame retardancy, conductivity, tribology and polymer processing.

Yiu-Wing Mai is an alumnus of the University of Hong Kong, having completed his BSc in 1969, his PhD in 1972 and his DSc in 1999. He also obtained a DEng from The University of Sydney in 1999. He previously worked in the US (Ann Arbor and NIST), the UK (Imperial College) and Hong Kong (HKUST and CityU). Professor Mai is currently University Chair and Professor of mechanical engineering at The University of Sydney. He is also Visting Chair Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Professor Mai's major research interests are the basic understanding of processing-microstructure-property relationships, particularly the fracture and mechanical behaviours of a range of advanced materials, including polymer blends, ceramics, cementitious materials, hard surface coatings and fibre composites. His current projects are related to polymer and ceramic-based nanocomposites and fracture mechanics of smart materials.