Modification and Blending of Synthetic and Natural Macromolecules: Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute on Modification and Blending of . II: Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, 175)

The book provides a unique collection of 15 contributions by 15 internationally recognized scientists performing intensive research activity on the preparation and characterization of complex and multiphase materials based on macromolecules as well as on the evaluation and simulation of structure/properties relations. The topic is assuming a general increasing importance as providing a highly sustainable and modern approach to the present and future development of the important area of materials science and technology. The scientific route along the successive contributions goes from the controlled preparation of functional MM both by innovative polymerization reactions and preformed polymers modification (intramacromolecular complexity), to their combination with other MMs and materials to give blends and composites where new properties are conveniently achieved by morphologic complexity. The synergic behaviour of the different components in these last is obtained by reactive processing producing the necessary interfacial adhesion. Even if most examples deal with man-made MMs, biopolymers are also included. The various chapters provide in most cases an exhaustive fundamental description assisted by an up- to-date and broad list of relevant references The book is therefore an excellent informative and formative instrument for those involved in complex materials preparation and application in research and industry.

Contents Chapter 1; POLY(ALKYLENE PHOSPHATE) CHAINS AND BLOCK COPOLYMERS THEREOF; Stanislaw Penczek 1 . Introduction; 2. Synthesis of Model Macromolecules; 3 . Interaction of Synthetic Poly(alkylene phosphates) with Metal Cations; 4 Ionic Interactions; 5. lonic-Nonionic Dihydrophilic Block Copolymers (with Phosphate Units) and Their Interaction with Inorganic Particles; 6.Interaction of Poly(alkylene phosphates) with Polyaniline; Chapter 2; COMBINATIONS OF TRANSITION METAL CATALYSTS FOR REACTOR BLENDING; Claudio Bianchini, et al ; 1. Introduction; 2. Homogeneous Systems; 3. Heterogeneous Systems; 4. Conclusions; Chapter 3; FREE RADICAL PROCESSES IN WATER DISPERSION: NEW DEVELOPMENTS; B. Charleux, et al ; 1. Introduction ; 2. Basics on Polymerization in Dispersed Aqueous Medium and on Controlled/Living Radical Polymerization; 3. Controlled Free Radical Polymerization in Water Dispersion; 4. Amphiphilic bi, tri, and Stars Block Copolymers Prepared via Controlled Radical Polymerization and Their Use as Surfactants in Emulsion Polymerization; 5 Conclusions; Chapter 4; FUNCTIONALIZATION OF POLYOLEFINS IN THE MELT; Francesco Ciardelli, et al; 1.Introduction; 2. Kineties of Functionalization;3. Functionalization of Ethylene Polymers (LLDPE, VLDPE and EPM);4. Functionalization of Isotactic Polypropylene 5. Functionalization of Styrene Polymers; 6. Reactivity ofOrafted Functional Groups with Macromolecules; Chapter 5; HYPERBRANCHED ARCHITECTURES; H. Iatrou, et al ; 1 . Introduction; 2. Synthesis-Characterization-Properties; Chapter 6; EFFECTS OF INTRAMOLECULAR COMPOSITION AND TOPOLOGY ON INTERMOLECULAR STRUCTURE AND BULK PROPERTIES OF COMPLEX POLYMER SYSTEMS: Experimental Characterization and Computer Simulation Tadeusz Pakula; 1 . Introduction; 2. Characterization Methods; 3 . Experimental Results; 4. Computer Simulation; 5 . Examples of Simulation Results; 6. Conclusions; Chapter 7; PREPARATION OF NANOCOMPOSITES WELL-DEFINED RGANIC (CO)POLYMERS;Krzysztof Matyjaszewski; 1 . Introduction; 2. Brushes from Colloidal Particles; 3 . Core-Shell Colloids; 4. ABC Triblock Copolymer Brushes; 5 . Brushes from Flat Surfaces; 6. Block and Graft Copolymers with Poly(dimethylsiloxane); 7. Conclusions; Chapter 8; ROLE OF INTERFACES IN MULTICOMPONENT POLYMER SYSTEMS AND BIOCOMPOSITES; Gyorgy J. Marosi, Gyorguy Bertalan; 1.Introduction; 2. Background; 3. Spontanaeous Interphases; 4. Modified Interphase of Low Molecular Mass; 5 . Modified Interphase of High Molecular Mass; 6. Adaptive lnterphases; 7. Smart Jnterphases; 8. Conclusions; Chapter 9; REACTIVE PROCESSING OF POLYMER BLENDS USING REACTIVE COMPATIBILIZATION AND DYNAMIC CROSSLINKING: PRASE MORPHOLOGY CONTROL AND MICROSTRUCTURE - PROPERTY RELATIONS; Charef. Harrats and G. Groeninckx; 1 . Introduction to Polymer Plends; 2. Phase Morphology Development in mmiscible Polymer Blends; 3. Compatibilization of Two-Phase Polymer Blends; 4. Dynamic Vulcanization of Rubber /Thermoplastic with High Rubber Content (TPVs); Chapter 10; PROCESSING FOR ULTIMATE PROPERTIES; Piet J. Lemstra; 1. Introduction; 2. Natural vs. Synthetic Polymers; 3 . Ultimate Properties in 1-D(imension); 4. Ultimate Properties in 2-D; 5. Ultimate Properties in 3-D; 6. Conclusion; Chapter 11; DEVELOPMENT AND PROCESSING OF THERMOPLASTIC STARCH MATERIALS; R.F. T. Stepto; 1. Introduction; 2. The Bases of Thermoplastic Starch Melt Formation; 3. Properties Injection-Moulded TSPs; 4. TSP-Based Products; Chapter 12; THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS ON THE REACTIONS IN POLYMER BLENDS; Nikolay A. Platé et al ; 1 . Introduction; 2. Polymer Analogous Reactions; 3 . Stabilyzing Effect of Diblock Copolymers; 4. Interchange Reactions; 5. Conclusions; Chapter 13; FUNCTIONAL COPOLYMER MACROMOLECULES: DESIGN, CHARACTERIZATION AND PROPERTIES; Alexei R. Khokhlov; 1 . Introduction; 2. Protein-like Copolymers; 3 . Experimental Realizations; 4. Statistical Correlations in the Sequences; 5 . Some Generalizations 6. Relation to Evolution