This book presents state-of-the-art coverage of synthesis of advanced functional materials. Unconventional synthetic routes play an important role in the synthesis of advanced materials as many new materials are metastable and cannot be synthesized by conventional methods. This book presents various synthesis methods such as conventional solid-state method, combustion method, a range of soft chemical methods, template synthesis, molecular precursor method, microwave synthesis, sono-chemical method and high-pressure synthesis. It provides a comprehensive overview of synthesis methods and covers a variety of materials, including ceramics, films, glass, carbon-based, and metallic materials. Many techniques for processing and surface functionalization are also discussed. Several engineering aspects of materials synthesis are also included. The contents of this book are useful for researchers and professionals working in the areas of materials and chemistry.

We are pleased to present the Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop “Syntheses, Properties and Applications of Ultrananocrystalline Diamond” which was held June 7-10, 2004 in St. Petersburg, Russia. The main goal of the Workshop was to provide a forum for the intensive exchange of opinions between scientists from Russia and NATO countries in order to give additional impetus to the development of the science and applications of a new carbon nanostructure, called ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) composed of 2-5 nm crystallites. There are two forms of UNCD, dispersed particles and films. The two communities of researchers working on these two forms of UNCD have hitherto lacked a common forum in which to explore areas of scientific and technological overlap. As a consequence, the two fields have up to now developed independently of each other. The time had clearly come to remedy this situation in order to be able to take full advantage of the enormous potential for societal benefits to be derived from exploiting the synergistic relationships between UNCD dispersed particulates and UNCD films. The NATO sponsored ARW therefore occurred in a very timely manner and was successful in beginning the desired dialogue, a precondition for making progress toward the above stated goal. The discovery of UNCD completes a triadof nanostructured carbonswhich includes fullerenes and nanotubes.

Sintering is a method for manufacturing components from ceramic or metal powders by heating the powder until the particles adhere to form the component required. The resulting products are characterised by an enhanced density and strength, and are used in a wide range of industries. Sintering of advanced materials: fundamentals and processes reviews important developments in this technology and its applicationsPart one discusses the fundamentals of sintering with chapters on topics such as the thermodynamics of sintering, kinetics and mechanisms of densification, the kinetics of microstructural change and liquid phase sintering. Part two reviews advanced sintering processes including atmospheric sintering, vacuum sintering, microwave sintering, field/current assisted sintering and photonic sintering. Finally, Part three covers sintering of aluminium, titanium and their alloys, refractory metals, ultrahard materials, thin films, ultrafine and nanosized particles for advanced materials.With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Sintering of advanced materials: fundamentals and processes reviews the latest advances in sintering and is a standard reference for researchers and engineers involved in the processing of ceramics, powder metallurgy, net-shape manufacturing and those using advanced materials in such sectors as electronics, automotive and aerospace engineering. - Explores the thermodynamics of sintering including sinter bonding and densification - Chapters review a variety of sintering methods including atmosphere, vacuum, liquid phase and microwave sintering - Discusses sintering of a variety of materials featuring refractory metals, super hard materials and functionally graded materials

Intended as a textbook for courses involving preparative solid-state chemistry, this book offers clear and detailed descriptions on how to prepare a selection of inorganic materials that exhibit important optical, magnetic and electrical properties, on a laboratory scale. The text covers a wide range of preparative methods and can be read as separate, independent chapters or as a unified coherent body of work. Discussions of various chemical systems reveal how the properties of a material can often be influenced by modifications to the preparative procedure, and vice versa. References to mineralogy are made throughout the book since knowledge of naturally occurring inorganic substances is helpful in devising many of the syntheses and in characterizing the product materials. A set of questions at the end of each chapter helps to connect theory with practice, and an accompanying solutions manual is available to instructors. This book is also of appeal to postgraduate students, post-doctoral researchers and those working in industry requiring knowledge of solid-state synthesis.

The number of ceramic materials with a perovskite type structure islarge and of considerable technological importance due to theirrich crystal chemistry and structure-property relationships.Applications include multilayer capacitators, piezoelectrictransducers, PTC thermistors, electrooptical modulators, opticalswitches, dielectric resonators, thick film resistors, electronicsensors, electrorestrictive actuators, magnetic bubble memorydevices, laser host materials, ferromagnetic materials, refractoryelectrodes, second harmonic generators, batteries, ceramicelectrodes, thermoelectric devices, and high temperaturesuperconductors. This volume contains papers on the research and development of newperovskite materials for various applications including doping ofexisting perovskite materials as well as processing for improvedproperties.

This Handbook discusses the recent advances in biodegradation technologies and highlights emerging sustainable materials, including environmentally friendly nano-based materials for replacing plastics. It is useful to scientists, engineers, biologists, medical doctors and provides alternative eco-friendly materials to replace the currently used ones with harmful impact on the environment and life. The chapters present different types of alternative materials in diverse areas, such as food packaging materials, materials for construction and agricultural materials. The principles and types of biodegration technologies are described in depth.

Rareearth hexaborides are a group of materials composed of octahedral boron units. They are useful for making advanced ceramics that have a wide range of industrial applications due to their low electronic work functions, hardness, refractory properties, low electrical resistances and specific thermal expansion coefficients. RareEarth Metal Hexaborides: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications provides a quick reference on rareearth metal hexaborides and their engineering applications. It provides a primer on rare earth elements followed by details of rareearth hexaboride structures, synthetic methods, and information about their alloys and ceramic composites. References to scholarly research are also provided for assisting advanced readers. This reference is a handy source of information for chemical engineering and materials science scholars, and anyone interested in the applied chemistry of rareearth metals and borides.

The book presents recent advances in the following fields: Theoretical aspects, characterization and applications of powder and PM products. New developments in powder production and processing. Functional Materials. Nanomaterials and Nanotechnologies. Health, Safety and Environmental Aspects of Particulates. Keywords: Powder Metallurgy, Powder Characterization, Functional Materials, Nanomaterials, Health Aspects of Particulates, Environmental Aspects of Particulates, Microwires in Cellulose Matrix, Multi-layer Steel, Reactive Mechanical Milling, Green Synthesis of Nanoparticles, Linear Homopolymers, Plasma Jet Depositions on Steel, Mössbauer Spectroscopy of Nanocomposites, Manganese Silicides, Quartz Sand, Weldability Model, Thin Films for Optical MEMS, Magnetron Sputtered Thin Films, Graphene Oxide / PVC Composites, Amorphous Alloy Preparation, Zirconium-doped Indium Oxide, W/Cu Nanocomposite Powders, W/Cu Functionally Graded Materials, Reactive Magnetron Sputtering, Heusler Alloys.

This book covers the synthesis and applications of colloidal gold nanorods including their properties, approaches for various chemical synthesis, and different gold nanorod-based nanocomposites with their properties and application potentials. Furthermore, it covers the surface chemistry and functionalization of gold nanorods for numerous biomedical applications. Various applications of gold nanorods including optical probes, dark filed contrast agents, photothermal therapy agents, and plasmonic photocatalyst are covered, along with the toxicological aspects. Features: Covers all aspects of gold nanorods along with selected protocols Focuses on synthetic chemistry, optical property, and functionalization approach of colloidal gold nanorods Describes standard synthetic methods and advantages of gold nanorods in biomedical applications Includes authentic and reproducible experimental procedures Discusses applications like redox catalysts, catalyst promoters, delivery carriers, solar cell materials, and so forth This book aims at graduate students and researchers interested in nanotechnology and gold nanoparticles.

Selected, peer reviewed papers from the 2014 Dianchi Advanced Materials Forum, July 16-18, 2014, Kunming, China