Polymer Composites -- Contents -- The Editors -- List of Contributors -- 1 State of the Art - Nanomechanics -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.2 Nanoplatelet-Reinforced Composites -- 1.3 Exfoliation-Adsorption -- 1.4 In Situ Intercalative Polymerization Method -- 1.5 Melt Intercalation -- 1.6 Nanofiber-Reinforced Composites -- 1.7 Characterization of Polymer Nanocomposites -- 1.8 Recent Advances in Polymer Nanocomposites -- 1.9 Future Outlook -- References -- 2 Synthesis, Surface Modification, and Characterization of Nanoparticles -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 Synthesis and Modification of Nanoparticles -- 2.2.1 Synthesis of Nanoparticles -- 2.2.2 Synthesis of Titania Nanoparticles -- 2.2.3 Microwave Synthesis of Magnetic Fe3O4 Nanoparticles -- 2.2.4 Magnetic Field Synthesis of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles -- 2.2.5 Synthesis of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles without Inert Gas Protection -- 2.2.6 Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles by Two Different Methods -- 2.2.7 Synthesis of Silica Powders by Pressured Carbonation -- 2.2.8 MW-Assisted Synthesis of Bisubstituted Yttrium Garnet Nanoparticles -- 2.2.9 Molten Salt Synthesis of Bisubstituted Yttrium Garnet Nanoparticles -- 2.3 Modification of Nanoparticles -- 2.3.1 Surface Modification of ZnO Nanoparticles -- 2.3.2 Surface Modification of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles -- 2.3.3 Surface Modification of Silica Nanoparticles -- 2.4 Preparation and Characterization of Polymer-Inorganic Nanocomposites -- 2.4.1 Nanopolymer Matrix Composites -- 2.5 Preparation of Polymer-Inorganic Nanocomposites -- 2.5.1 Sol-Gel Processing -- 2.5.2 In Situ Polymerization -- 2.5.3 Particle In Situ Formation -- 2.5.4 Blending -- 2.5.4.1 Solution Blending -- 2.5.4.2 Emulsion or Suspension Blending -- 2.5.4.3 Melt Blending -- 2.5.4.4 Mechanical Grinding/Blending -- 2.5.5 Others -- 2.6 Characterization of Polymer-Inorganic Nanocomposites -- 2.6.1 X-Ray Diffraction.

2.6.2 Infrared Spectroscopy -- 2.6.3 Mechanical Property Test -- 2.6.4 Abrasion Resistance Test -- 2.6.5 Impact Strength -- 2.6.6 Flexural Test -- 2.6.7 Others -- 2.7 Applications of Polymer-Inorganic Nanocomposites -- 2.7.1 Applications of Bi-YIG Films and Bi-YIG Nanoparticle-Doped PMMA -- 2.7.1.1 Magneto-Optical Isolator -- 2.7.1.2 Magneto-Optical Sensor -- 2.7.1.3 Tuned Filter -- 2.7.1.4 Magneto-Optical Recorder -- 2.7.1.5 Magneto-Optic Modulator -- 2.7.1.6 Magneto-Optic Switch -- 2.8 Application of Magnetic Fe3O4-Based Nanocomposites -- 2.9 Applications of ZnO-Based Nanocomposites -- 2.9.1 Gas Sensing Materials -- 2.9.2 Photocatalyst for Degradation of Organic Dye -- 2.9.3 Benard Convection Resin Lacquer Coating -- 2.10 Applications of Magnetic Fluid -- References -- 3 Theory and Simulation in Nanocomposites -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.1.1 Dispersion of Nanoparticles -- 3.1.2 Interface -- 3.1.3 Crystallization -- 3.1.4 Property Prediction -- 3.2 Analytical and Numerical Techniques -- 3.2.1 Analytical Models -- 3.2.2 Numerical Methods -- 3.2.3 Multiscale Modeling -- 3.3 Formation of Nanocomposites -- 3.3.1 Thermodynamics of Nanocomposite Formation -- 3.3.2 Kinetics of Nanocomposite Formation -- 3.3.3 Morphology of Polymer Nanocomposites -- 3.4 Mechanical Properties -- 3.4.1 Stiffness and Strength -- 3.4.2 Stress Transfer -- 3.4.3 Mechanical Reinforcement -- 3.4.4 Interfacial Bonding -- 3.5 Mechanical Failure -- 3.5.1 Buckling -- 3.5.2 Fatigue -- 3.5.3 Fracture -- 3.5.4 Wear -- 3.5.5 Creep -- 3.6 Thermal Properties -- 3.6.1 Thermal Conductivity -- 3.6.2 Thermal Expansion -- 3.7 Barrier Properties -- 3.8 Rheological Properties -- 3.9 Conclusions -- References -- 4 Characterization of Nanocomposites by Scattering Methods -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 X-Ray Diffraction and Scattering -- 4.2.1 Wide-Angle X-Ray Diffraction.

4.2.2 Wide-Angle X-Ray Diffraction in the Characterization of Polymer-Based Nanocomposites -- 4.2.3 Wide-Angle X-Ray Diffraction in the Characterization of the Structure of the Polymer Matrix -- 4.2.4 Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering -- 4.3 Neutron Scattering -- 4.4 Light Scattering -- References -- 5 Mechanical-Viscoelastic Characterization in Nanocomposites -- 5.1 Introduction -- 5.2 Factors Affecting the Mechanical Behavior of Nanocomposites -- 5.2.1 Influence of the Filler's Aspect Ratio and Dispersion -- 5.2.2 Influence of the Filler-Matrix Interphase -- 5.3 Micromechanical Models for Nanocomposites -- 5.3.1 Basic Assumptions and Preliminary Concepts -- 5.3.1.1 Continuum Models -- 5.3.1.2 Equivalent Continuum Model and Self-Similar Model -- 5.3.1.3 Finite Element Modeling -- 5.3.2 Micromechanical Nanocomposites Modeling -- 5.4 Mechanical Characterization of Nanocomposites under Static Loading -- 5.4.1 Polymer-Layered Silicate Nanocomposites -- 5.4.2 Polymer-CNT Nanocomposites -- 5.4.3 Particulate Polymer Nanocomposites -- 5.5 Characterization by Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis -- 5.6 Mechanical Characterization by Means of Indentation Techniques -- 5.7 Fracture Toughness Characterization of Nanocomposites -- 5.8 Conclusions -- References -- 6 Characterization of Nanocomposites by Optical Analysis -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.2 Influence of Nanoparticles on the Visual Aspect of Nanocomposites -- 6.3 Characterization of Appearance -- 6.3.1 Gloss -- 6.3.2 Haze -- 6.3.3 Color -- 6.4 Characterization by UV-Visible Spectrophotometry -- 6.5 Characterization by Optical Microscopy -- References -- 7 Characterization of Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Nanocomposites -- 7.1 Introduction -- 7.2 The Influence of the Molding Temperature on the Density of the Nanocomposite Samples Based on the Low-Density Polyethylene.

7.3 Experimental Study of the Temperature Dependence of the Permittivity of the Nanocomposite Materials -- 7.4 Elastic and Viscous Properties of the Nanocomposite Films Based on the Low-Density Polyethylene Matrix -- 7.4.1 Technology of Producing the Nanocomposite Polymeric Films -- 7.4.2 Determination of the Coefficients of Elasticity and Viscosity of Nanocomposite Polymeric Films -- 7.5 Effect of the Nanoparticle Material Density on the Acoustic Parameters of Nanocomposites Based on the Low-Density Polyethylene -- 7.6 Conclusions -- References -- 8 Barrier Properties of Nanocomposites -- 8.1 Introduction -- 8.2 Nanocomposites from Ceramic Oxides -- 8.3 Nanocomposites from Nanotubes -- 8.4 Layered Silicate Nanocomposites -- 8.5 Composite Models of Permeation -- 8.5.1 Nielsen Model -- 8.5.2 Bharadwaj Model -- 8.5.3 Fredrickson and Bicerano Model -- 8.5.4 Cussler Model -- 8.5.5 Gusev and Lusti Model -- 8.6 Techniques Used to Study the Permeability of Polymers and Nanocomposites -- 8.7 Calculation of Breakthrough Time -- 8.8 Applications -- 8.9 Conclusions -- References -- 9 Polymer Nanocomposites Characterized by Thermal Analysis Techniques -- 9.1 Introduction -- 9.2 Thermal Analysis Methods -- 9.2.1 Differential Scanning Calorimetry -- 9.2.2 Thermogravimetric Analysis -- 9.3 Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis -- 9.4 Thermal Mechanical Analysis -- 9.5 Conclusions -- References -- 10 Carbon Nanotube-Filled Polymer Composites -- 10.1 Introduction -- 10.2 Processing Methods -- 10.2.1 Common Approaches -- 10.3 Novel Approaches -- 10.3.1 CNT-Based Membranes and Networks -- 10.3.2 CNT-Based Fibers -- 10.4 Mechanical Properties of Composite Materials -- 10.5 Basic Theory of Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials -- 10.6 Stress Transfer Efficiency in Composites -- 10.7 Mechanical Properties: Selected Literature Data.

10.8 Electrical Properties of Composite Materials -- 10.9 Electrical Properties: Selected Literature Data -- 10.10 CNT-Polymer Composite Applications -- References -- 11 Applications of Polymer-Based Nanocomposites -- 11.1 Introduction -- 11.2 Preparation of Polymer-Based Nanocomposites -- 11.3 Applications of Nanocomposites -- 11.3.1 Mechanical Properties and Applications -- 11.3.2 Thermal Properties and Applications -- 11.3.3 Electrical Properties and Applications -- 11.3.4 Optical Properties and Applications -- 11.3.4.1 Transmission of Light -- 11.3.4.2 Energy Conversion -- 11.4 Energy Conversion and Storage Capacity and Applications -- 11.5 Biodegradability and Applications -- 11.5.1 Nanocomposites for Medical Applications -- 11.5.2 Nanocomposites for Drug Release Applications -- 11.5.3 Nanocomposites for Food Packaging -- 11.6 Conclusion and Outlook -- References -- 12 Health Hazards and Recycling and Life Cycle Assessment of Nanomaterials and Their Composites -- 12.1 Introduction -- 12.2 Health Hazards of Inorganic Nanoparticles -- 12.3 Nanocomposite Life Cycles and Life Cycle Assessment -- 12.4 Life Cycle Assessment of Nanoparticles and Nanocomposites in Practice -- 12.5 Nanocomposite Life Cycle Management, Including Recycling -- 12.6 Reducing Nanoparticle-Based Health Hazards and Risks Associated with Nanocomposite Life Cycles -- 12.7 Conclusion -- References -- Index.