Chemical and Structure Modification of Polymers

This timely volume provides an overview of polymer characterization test methods and presents experimental research in polymers using modern methods. Each chapter describes the principle of the respective method, as well as the detailed procedures of experiments with examples of actual applications and demonstrates the advantages and disadvantages of each physical technique. Thus, readers will be able to apply the concepts as described in the book to their own experiments.

The successful characterization of polymer systems is one of the most important objectives of today’s experimental research of polymers. Considering the tremendous scientific, technological, and economic importance of polymeric materials, especially in industry, it is impossible to overestimate the usefulness of experimental techniques in this field. Since the chemical, pharmaceutical, medical, and agricultural industries, as well as many others, depend on this progress to an enormous degree, it is critical to be as efficient, precise, and cost-effective in our empirical understanding of the performance of polymer systems as possible. This presupposes our proficiency with, and understanding of, the most widely used experimental methods and techniques.

The methods and instrumentation described in this volume represent modern analytical techniques useful to researchers, product development specialists, and quality control experts in polymer synthesis and manufacturing. Engineers, polymer scientists, and technicians will find this volume useful in selecting approaches and techniques applicable to characterizing molecular, compositional, rheological, and thermodynamic properties of elastomers and plastics.

Dr. Kajetan Pyrzynski is a specialist in the fields of organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and chemical technology. He is president of P. I. W. Delta Company in Poland. He established the company for realization of chemical ideas for practices: research, development, production. He has published about 100 scientific papers and one book. Some years ago he was Consul of Poland in Republic of Peru.

Grzegorz Nyszko, PhD, is the director of Military Institute of Chemistry and Radiometry in Warsaw, Poland. He has published several papers in international journals. He has worked in several capacities at the Military Institute of Chemistry and Radiometry, including research and development deputy director and CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) Defence Equipment Standardization Committee Leader.

Gennady E. Zaikov, DSc, is head of the Polymer Division at the N. M. Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, and professor at Moscow State Academy of Fine Chemical Technology, Russia, as well as professor at Kazan National Research Technological University, Kazan, Russia. He is also a prolific author, researcher, and lecturer. He has received several awards for his work, including the Russian Federation Scholarship for Outstanding Scientists. He has been a member of many professional organizations and on the editorial boards of many international science journals.