Electrospun Polymers and Composites: Ultrafine Materials, High Performance Fibres and Wearables reviews the latest technological developments and innovations in electrospun polymers and composites, highlighting the multifunctionality of these ultrafine materials as high performance fibers. The book's chapters investigate a wide range of different electrospinning applications, including drug delivery, tissue scaffolding, fiber reinforcement and nanofiltration, with a particular focus on shape memory effect and the wearable characteristics of electrospun polymers and composites. This will be a valuable reference resource for research and for industrial communities working in the field of electrospinning. - Covers two important material systems in electrospun materials, including electrospun polymers and composites - Emphasizes areas in shape memory effect and wearable features of electrospun polymers and composites - Presents a multidisciplinary work that will attract a wide spectrum of readers in chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, chemistry, pharmacy, environmental science, materials science and engineering, as well as mechanical and electrical engineering

This eBook is a collection of articles from a Frontiers Research Topic. Frontiers Research Topics are very popular trademarks of the Frontiers Journals Series: they are collections of at least ten articles, all centered on a particular subject. With their unique mix of varied contributions from Original Research to Review Articles, Frontiers Research Topics unify the most influential researchers, the latest key findings and historical advances in a hot research area! Find out more on how to host your own Frontiers Research Topic or contribute to one as an author by contacting the Frontiers Editorial Office: frontiersin.org/about/contact.

This Handbook covers the fundamentals of carbon nanotubes (CNT), their composites with different polymeric materials (both natural and synthetic) and their potential advanced applications. Three different parts dedicated to each of these aspects are provided, with chapters written by worldwide experts in the field. It provides in-depth information about this material serving as a reference book for a broad range of scientists, industrial practitioners, graduate and undergraduate students, and other professionals in the fields of polymer science and engineering, materials science, surface science, bioengineering and chemical engineering. Part 1 comprises 22 chapters covering early stages of the development of CNT, synthesis techniques, growth mechanism, the physics and chemistry of CNT, various innovative characterization techniques, the need of functionalization and different types of functionalization methods as well as the different properties of CNT. A full chapter is devoted to theory and simulation aspects. Moreover, it pursues a significant amount of work on life cycle analysis of CNT and toxicity aspects. Part 2 covers CNT-based polymer nanocomposites in approximately 23 chapters. It starts with a short introduction about polymer nanocomposites with special emphasis on CNT-based polymer nanocomposites, different manufacturing techniques as well as critical issues concerning CNT-based polymer nanocomposites. The text deeply reviews various classes of polymers like thermoset, elastomer, latex, amorphous thermoplastic, crystalline thermoplastic and polymer fibers used to prepare CNT based polymer composites. It provides detailed awareness about the characterization of polymer composites. The morphological, rheological, mechanical, viscoelastic, thermal, electrical, electromagnetic shielding properties are discussed in detail. A chapter dedicated to the simulation and multiscale modelling of polymer nanocomposites is an additional attraction of this part of the Handbook. Part 3 covers various potential applications of CNT in approximately 27 chapters. It focuses on individual applications of CNT including mechanical applications, energy conversion and storage applications, fuel cells and water splitting, solar cells and photovoltaics, sensing applications, nanofluidics, nanoelectronics and microelectronic devices, nano-optics, nanophotonics and nano-optoelectronics, non-linear optical applications, piezo electric applications, agriculture applications, biomedical applications, thermal materials, environmental remediation applications, anti-microbial and antibacterial properties and other miscellaneous applications and multi-functional applications of CNT based polymer nanocomposites. One chapter is fully focussed on carbon nanotube research developments: published papers and patents. Risks associated with carbon nanotubes and competitive analysis of carbon nanotubes with other carbon allotropes are also addressed in this Handbook.

Lignin in Polymer Composites presents the latest information on lignin, a natural polymer derived from renewable resources that has great potential as a reinforcement material in composites because it is non-toxic, inexpensive, available in large amounts, and is starting to be deployed in various materials applications due to its advantages over more traditional oil-based materials. This book reviews the state-of-the-art on the topic and their applications to composites, including thermoplastic, thermosets, rubber, foams, bioplastics, nanocomposites, and lignin-based carbon fiber composites. In addition, the book covers critical assessments on the economics of lignin, including a cost-performance analysis that discusses its strengths and weaknesses as a reinforcement material. Finally, the huge potential applications of lignin in industry are explored with respect to its low cost, recyclable properties, and fully biodegradable composites, and the way they apply to the automotive, construction, and packaging industries. - Reviews the state-of-the-art on the topic and their applications to composites, including thermoplastic, thermosets, rubber, foams, bioplastics, nanocomposites, and lignin-based carbon fiber composites - Presents the essential processing and properties information for engineers and materials scientists, enabling the use of lignin in composites - Provides critical insight into the applications and future trends of lignin-based composites, including advantages, shortcomings, and economics - Includes a thorough coverage of extraction, modification, processing, and applications of the material

Conducting polymers are versatile materials that possess both the unique properties of polymeric materials (elastic behavior, reversible deformation, flexibility, etc.) and the ability to conduct electricity with bulk conductivities comparable to those of metals and semiconductors. Conducting Polymers: Chemistries, Properties and Biomedical Applications provides current, state-of-the-art knowledge of conducting polymers and their composites for biomedical applications. This book covers the fundamentals of conducting polymers, strategies to modify the structure of conducting polymers to make them biocompatible, and their applications in various biomedical areas such as drug/gene delivery, tissue engineering, antimicrobial activities, biosensors, etc. FEATURES Covers the state-of-the-art progress on biodegradable conducting polymers for biomedical applications Presents synthesis, characterization, and applications of conducting polymers for various biomedical research Provides the fundamentals of biodegradation mechanisms and the role of conduction in biomedical devices Offers details of novel methods and advanced technologies used in biomedical applications using conducting polymers Highlights new directions for scientists, researchers, and students to better understand the chemistry, technologies, and applications of conducting polymers This book is essential reading for all academic and industrial researchers working in the fields of materials science, polymers, nanotechnology, and biomedical technology.

This volume deals with the various fabrication techniques, surface functionalization and biomedical applications of polymeric fibers possessing different scale and structure. It provides an overview of fabrication techniques such as Co-axial, Centrifugal, Melt and Yarning to procure multiscale, tubular and layered fibrous scaffold employed for biomedical applications. The chapters in this volume discusse the surface/chemical functionalization of fibers which enhance the biological properties of the fibrous scaffolds as well as the development of hybrid, layered and external stimuli-responsive fibrous scaffolds that hold potential application in biosensor and other biomedical fields. In addition, recent advances and applications of polymeric multiscale fibers in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine and drug delivery are presented. The potential use of fibrous scaffolds in bone, neural, tendon/ligament and cardiac tissue engineering, nanofibers as an antimicrobial wound dressing, employed in cancer theragnostics and in the treatment of skin/periodontal infections are discussed. The volume provides expert knowledge on the fabrication techniques, development of different scale and hybrid structure fibers, surface functionalization, layered and external stimuli responsive fibrous scaffolds. It will be beneficial to material/biomaterials scientists, bioengineering and biotechnologists by providing a better understanding on the subject of the innovative applications of fibrous scaffolds in drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound dressings and regenerative medicine.

The aim of this book is to explore the history, fundamentals, manufacturing processes, optimization parameters, and applications of electrospun materials. The book includes various types of electrospun materials such as antimicrobial, smart, bioinspired systems. It focuses on the many application areas for electrospun materials such as energy storage and harvesting, catalysis, biomedical including gene delivery and tissue engineering, separation, adsorption and water treatment technologies, packaging. The book emphasizes the enhanced sustainable properties of electrospun materials, with the challenges and future developments being discussed in detail. The chapters are written by top-class researchers and experts from throughout the world.

This handbook presents the current state-of-knowledge in the area of epoxy fiber composites. The book emphasizes new challenges and covers synthesis, characterization, and applications of epoxy/fiber composites. Leading researchers from industry, academy, government and private research institutions across the globe have contributed to this book. The contents comprehensively cover the current status, trends, future directions, and application opportunities in the field. This highly application-oriented handbook will be of use to researchers and professionals alike.

Polymer-clay nanocomposites have flame-retardant, antimicrobial, anticorrosion and self-healing properties, they are biocompatible and environmentally benign. Multiple types of clay minerals may be exfoliated or individually dispersed and then used as natural nanoparticle additives of different size and shape for composite formation. Loading polymers with clays increases their strength, however, it is only recently that such composites were prepared with controlled nanoscale organization allowing for the enhancement of their mechanical properties and functionality. Edited by pioneers in the field, this book will explain the great potential of these materials and will bring together the combined physico-chemical, materials science and biological expertise to introduce the reader to the vibrant field of nanoclay materials. This book will provide an essential text for materials and polymers scientists in industry and academia.