Biopolymer Grafting: Applications

Biopolymer Grafting: Applications presents the latest research and developments in the practical application of these methods in industry, both to enable polymer scientists and engineers to keep up with the latest research trends, as well as to propose ideas for further research and application. Research into bio-based polymers has become increasingly prevalent. However, due to challenges related to the properties of these materials compared to synthetic polymers-such as their resistance to chemicals or weather-uptake has not dramatically increased yet. As a result, improvements in surface modification of bio-polymers through graft copolymerization are enormously important, because they will widen the scope of their applications. Relevant industries for application of these methods include automotive, construction, food, packaging, agriculture, textiles and paper. This book provides an overview of the developments made in the area of biopolymer-based graft polymers. Advantages, disadvantages and suggestions for future works are discussed, assisting materials scientists and researchers in mapping out the future of these new 'green' materials through value addition to enhance their use. - Helps researchers and product developers understand the applications and limitations of biopolymer copolymers or copolymers of natural polymers - Offers a roadmap to future applications development in a range of different industries, including automotive, biomedical and packaging - Increases familiarity with a range of biopolymer grafting processes, enabling materials scientists and engineers to improve material properties and widen the range of potential biopolymer applications

Vijay Kumar Thakur is Permanent Faculty in the School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing Engineering, Cranfield University, UK. Previously he was a Staff Scientist in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Washington State University, USA, Research Scientist in Temasek Laboratories at Nanyang Technological University Singapore and Visiting Research Fellow in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at LHU Taiwan. He spent his postdoctoral study in Materials Science & Engineering at Iowa State University, USA. He has extensive expertise in the synthesis of polymers, nano materials, nanocomposites, biocomposites, graft copolymers, high performance capacitors and electrochromic materials. He sits on the editorial board of several SCI journals.