Clay-Polymer Nanocomposites

Clay-Polymer Nanocomposites is a complete summary of the existing knowledge on this topic, from the basic concepts of synthesis and design to their applications in timely topics such as high-performance composites, environment, and energy issues. This book covers many aspects of synthesis such as in- situ polymerization within the interlamellar spacing of the clays or by reaction of pristine or pre-modified clays with reactive polymers and prepolymers. Indeed, nanocomposites can be prepared at industrial scale by melt mixing. Regardless the synthesis method, much is said in this book about the importance of theclay pre-modification step, which is demonstrated to be effective, on many occasions, in obtaining exfoliated nanocomposites. Clay-Polymer Nanocomposites reports the background to numerous characterization methods including solid state NMR, neutron scattering, diffraction and vibrational techniques as well as surface analytical methods, namely XPS, inverse gas chromatography and nitrogen adsorption to probe surface composition, wetting and textural/structural properties. Although not described in dedicated chapters, numerous X-ray diffraction patterns of clay-polymer nanocomposites and reference materials are displayed to account for the effects of intercalation and exfoliations of layered aluminosilicates. Finally, multiscale molecular simulation protocols are presenting for predicting morphologies and properties of nanostructured polymer systems with industrial relevance. As far as applications are concerned, Clay-Polymer Nanocomposites examines structural composites such as clay-epoxy and clay-biopolymers, the use of clay-polymer nanocomposites as reactive nanocomposite fillers, catalytic clay-(conductive) polymers and similar nanocomposites for the uptake of hazardous compounds or for controlled drug release, antibacterial applications, energy storage, and more. - The most comprehensive coverage of the state of the art in clay-polymer nanocomposites, from synthesis and design to opportunities and applications - Covers the various methods of characterization of clay-polymer nanocomposites - including spectroscopy, thermal analyses, and X-ray diffraction - Includes a discussion of a range of application areas, including biomedicine, energy storage, biofouling resistance, and more

Dr. Jlassi Khouloud is a post-doctoral researcher fellow in Qatar University, Centre of Advanced Materials, working with Professor Igor Krupa (NPRP award [8-878-1-172]) from Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar foundation). She is a doctor in Chemistry from the Paris Diderot (ITODYS) lab in 'Chemistry of materials and functional surfaces'. She is involved in the interface chemistry of nanoclay using either silanes or diazonium salts bearing polymerization initiator groups or polymerizable moieties. She prepares Vinylic and conjugated polymers in situ, in the presence of the modified clays leading to highly exfoliated clay/polymer nanocomposites, using the latter in catalysis as nanofillers for polymer matrix for the development of adhesives with very high performance for a variety of applications. Dr. Khouloud has published many papers in international peer-reviewed journals in the area of applied clay. Previously, she was working as an assistant professor in the higher institute of environmental science and technologies in Tunisia for 4 years. Dr Khouloud has many international collaborations with Hong Kong, Turkey, the United States, and India.