Baochun Guo – författare

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.

Rubbers are ubiquitous materials that play irreplaceable roles in modern society, from tires, seals, hoses, vibration/noise control, biomedical devices, and stretchable electronics to soft robotics. The traditional rubber manufacturing and vulcanization process is energy-intensive, and the end-of-life rubber products are hard to reuse and recycle due to the permanently crosslinked chemical structures and the variety of processing additives involved. Innovation of sustainable rubber chemistry and technology is urgently needed.

This book provides critical reviews of the latest developments in rubber technology, including energy-efficient devulcanization techniques, the dynamic crosslinking chemistry of rubbers, and an understanding of the trade-off between network dynamics and the properties of rubber. Further chapters explore the functionalization and hybridization of fillers and how blends, TPVs, and multiple networks influence the sustainability of rubber. The book concludes with an examination of new developments and real-world applications of rubber in the circular economy.