Functional Nanocomposites and Their Applications

This book, Functional Nanocomposites and Their Applications, explains innovative developments in nanocomposites. It covers novel findings and various applications of nanocomposites in different emerging fields. Chapters cover several types of nanocomposites as well as their synthesis, manufacturing, characteristics, and applications. Special emphasis is given to innovative works on functional nanocomposites and their relevant areas of use. The authors depict the stability and functionality of nanocomposites and their applications in various sectors, such as industrial, structural, biomedical, etc. Nanocomposites in wastewater treatment, MnO2 and graphene nanostructures, computer modeling of structure and mechanical behavior, polythiophene nanocomposites, and other topics are covered in the chapters.

Nanocomposites have a high surface-to-volume ratio and hence have strong mechanical characteristics, making them suitable for application in the automotive and construction sectors. Nanocomposites show better property enhancement over conventional composites i.e., properties such as electrical, thermal, mechanical, and barrier. They have good transparency and also reduce the property of flammability. Other uses include power tool housing, electronic covers, and so forth.

This book will help readers easily understand the effective implementation of different types of nanocomposites, such as for environmental remediation, biomedical applications, lightweight designed goods with better mechanical, thermal, or chemical resistance qualities, etc. This book will be valuable for scientists and engineers both in academics and industry.

Dhanya K. R., PhD, is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the International and Inter University Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, India. She has published articles in international and national journals and has authored and co-authored book chapters as well as one book related to medicine. She has also presented her work at international conferences. She has coordinated several science-oriented programs such as World Environmental Day, National Technology Day, Ozone Day, etc., at her university, as well as several national conferences. Her research interests include hydrogels, water purification studies, nanocomposites, biopolymers, etc.

Sanal P. S., PhD, is a patent analyst and consultant. He received his PhD in Polymer Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, India. During his PhD he worked on block copolymers for biomedical applications. Thereafter, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology. He researched coaxial electrospinning of conducting polymers during his postdoctoral work. He was also a postdoctoral researcher at the International and Inter University Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi, India, where he continued his research on the electrospinning of polymers. His main areas of research are polymer technology, electrospinning, and polymeric biomaterials.

Sabu Thomas, PhD, DSc, FRSC, is the Vice Chancellor, senior most professor and outstanding scientist, and leading academic of Mahatma Gandhi University, India, where he has been serving for the last 34 years. He has held many positions, which include Pro Vice Chancellor; Regional Director of the School of Technology and Applied Sciences; Dean of Technology and Applied Sciences and Syndicate Member; Erudite Professor in the Department of Regenerative Medicine and Translational Sciences at the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine; Adjunct Professor and AcSIR Director at the School of Chemical Sciences; and Director at the International and Inter University Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. Currently he also holds the position of the Honorary Director of the School of Energy Materials of Mahatma Gandhi University. Dr. Thomas’s groundbreaking inventions in polymer nanocomposites, polymer blends, and green bionanotechnological and nano-biomedical sciences have made transformative differences in the development of new materials in the automotive, space, housing, and biomedical fields. In collaboration with India’s premier tire company, Apollo Tyres, Professor Thomas’s group invented new high performance barrier rubber nanocomposite membranes for inner tubes and inner liners for tires. A prolific author and researcher, Dr. Thomas has won many awards for his work and is acknowledged as one of the most productive researchers in India.

Nandakumar Kalarikkal, PhD, is the Senior Professor, School of Pure and Applied Physics, Mahatma Gandhi University, International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, School of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, India. His current research interests include synthesis, characterization, and applications of various nanostructured materials, laser plasma, and phase transitions. He has published more than 260 research articles in peer-reviewed journals, holds six patents and has edited over 30 books. Dr. Kalarikkal obtained his master’s degree in Physics with a specialization in Industrial Physics and his PhD in Semiconductor Physics from Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala, India. He was a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Trivandrum, and later joined Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India. He has received several research grants and supervised more than 22 PhD candidates. He has carried out several international and national project works and has received many international fellowships and honors.