Polymer Nanocomposite Foams

Advancements in polymer nanocomposite foams have led to their application in a variety of fields, such as automotive, packaging, and insulation. Employing nanocomposites in foam formation enhances their property profiles, enabling a broader range of uses, from conventional to advanced applications. Since many factors affect the generation of nanostructured foams, a thorough understanding of structure–property relationships in foams is important. Polymer Nanocomposite Foams presents developments in various aspects of nanocomposite foams, providing information on using composite nanotechnology for making functional foams to serve a variety of applications.Featuring contributions from experts in the field, this book reviews synthesis and processing techniques for preparing poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposite foams and discusses strategies for toughening polymer foams. It summarizes the effects of adding nanoclay on polypropylene foaming behavior and describes routes to starch foams for improved performance. The books also reviews progress in achieving high-performance lightweight polymer nanocomposite foams while keeping desired mechanical properties, examines hybrid polyurethane nanocomposite foams, and covers polymer–clay nanocomposite production.The final chapters present recent advances in the field of carbon nanotube/polymer nanocomposite aerogels and related materials as well as a review of the nanocomposite foams generated from high-performance thermoplastics. Summing up the most recent research developments in the area of polymer nanocomposite foams, this book provides background information for readers new to the field and serves as a reference text for researchers.

"Young researchers will find a valid and rigorous tool for improving their background in the fields of polymer nanocomposite and foaming processes while experienced academicians will have a well written, clear and readable book to be suggested for their young students interested in the fantastic field of polymeric nanocomposite foams."—Marino Lavorgna, Institute for Composite and Biomedical Materials, Italy’s National Research Council

Vikas Mittal, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Chemical Engineering Department of The Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi. He obtained his Ph.D. in 2006 in polymer and materials engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland. Dr. Mittal then worked as a materials scientist in the Active and Intelligent Coatings section of Sun Chemical in London, and as a polymer engineer at BASF Polymer Research in Ludwigshafen, Germany. His research interests include polymer nanocomposites, novel filler surface modifications, thermal stability enhancements, and polymer latexes with functionalized surfaces, among others. Dr. Mittal has authored more than 50 scientific publications, book chapters, and patents on these subjects.