Crystallization in Multiphase Polymer Systems is the first book that explains in depth the crystallization behavior of multiphase polymer systems. Polymeric structures are more complex in nature than other material structures due to their significant structural disorder. Most of the polymers used today are semicrystalline, and the subject of crystallization is still one of the major issues relating to the performance of semicrystalline polymers in the modern polymer industry.
The study of the crystallization processes, crystalline morphologies and other phase transitions is of great significance for the understanding the structure-property relationships of these systems. Crystallization in block copolymers, miscible blends, immiscible blends, and polymer composites and nanocomposites is thoroughly discussed and represents the core coverage of this book. The book critically analyzes the kinetics of nucleation and growth process of the crystalline phases in multi-component polymer systems in different length scales, from macro to nanoscale.
Various experimental techniques used for the characterization of polymer crystallization process are discussed. Written by experts in the field of polymer crystallization, this book is a unique source and enables professionals and students to understand crystallization behavior in multiphase polymer systems such as block copolymers, polymer blends, composites and nanocomposites.
Author Biography:
Professor Sabu Thomas is the Director of Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India. He is also currently the Chairman of the Trivandrum Engineering Science and Technology Research Park (TrESPARK), Trivandrum, Kerala, India. He was the former Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India. Prof. Thomas is a highly committed teacher and a remarkably active researcher well-known nationally and internationally for his outstanding contributions in polymer science and nanotechnology. He has published over 1400 research articles in international refereed journals. and has also edited and written 210 books. His H-index is 140 and total citations are more than 94,000. He has supervised 125 PhD theses. He has received many international and national awards and recognitions. Under the leadership of Prof. Thomas, Mahatma Gandhi University has been transformed into a top University in India.
Mohammed Arif P is currently working as Senior Research Fellow at the International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India. His research focuses on Polymer Blends, Polymer Nanocomposites, Conductive Polymers and EMI shielding. Apart from a patent on Polymer Nanocomposites to his credit, he has more than four publications in peer reviewed journals. He has also authored three book chapters. Dr. E. Bhoje Gowd is a Polymer Physicist. His research interests include: crystallization and crystallization kinetics of semicrystalline polymers and multiphase polymeric systems (in particular biodegradable polymers, block copolymers, and nano-composites), polymer self-assembly, nanostructured materials, polymorphic phase transitions in semicrystalline polymers, polymer/inorganic hybrid nanocomposites, polymer-solvent complexes. He received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. (Tech) in Polymer Science and Technology from Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh and his Ph.D. from University of Pune, Pune (work carried out at National Chemical Laboratory under the guidance of Dr. C. Ramesh). He worked as a post-doctoral fellow in Prof. Kohji Tashiro’s group at Toyota Technological Institute, Nagoya, Japan and as an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow in Prof. Manfred Stamm’s group at Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research, Dresden, Germany. After a short stay at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore as a Centenary post-doctoral fellow in Prof. S. Ramakrishnan’s group, he joined CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram as a DST Ramanujan Fellow. In 2011, he accepted the senior scientist position at CSIR-NIIST. In 2014, he has been awarded IUSSTF research fellowship by Indo-US Science and Technology Forum. He is also the recipient of Materials Research Society of India (MRSI) Medal in 2016. He has authored more than 50 publications in peer reviewed journals and 3 book chapters. Dr. Gowd has given several invited lectures in more than 8 countries around the world. Dr. Nandakumar Kalarikkal is an Associate Professor at the School of Pure and Applied Physics and Joint Director
of the International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India. His research activities
involve applications of nanostructured materials, laser plasma, and phase transitions. He is the recipient of research fellowships and associateships from prestigious government organizations such as the Department of Science and Technology and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research of the Government of India. He has active collaborations with national and international scientific institutions in India, South Africa, Slovenia, Canada, France, Germany, Malaysia, Australia, and the United States. He has more than 130 publications in peer-reviewed journals. He also co-edited nine books of scientific interest and co-authored many book chapters.
