Polymer Nanocomposites: Interface Engineering of Carbon Nanotubes, Advanced Properties and Recent Applications

Recently, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have received tremendous interest from the research community due to their excellent properties and contribution to the enhancement of polymer properties. However, the incompatibility of CNTs with the polymer matrix is still a major barrier facing the practical realization of these materials. Interface engineering and modification have become the current strategy for enhancing their compatibility, dispersion, and interfacial relationship with the polymer matrix to meet the desired engineering properties and applications.

Polymer Nanocomposites: Interface Engineering of Carbon Nanotubes, Advanced Properties, and Recent Applications presents detailed information on various approaches for the interface engineering of CNTs and their resultant properties when incorporated in the polymer matrix.

This book covers the fundamentals, as well as up-to-date techniques for understanding the properties of the surface engineering of CNTs. Core structures, the functionalization and modification of CNTs, and their relationships with the polymer matrix in tailoring engineering properties are also covered.

• Presents recent advances on the properties of polymer nanocomposites reinforced with various surface engineered CNTs
• Discusses recent developments in interface engineering and modification to enhance compatibility between the matrix and CNTs
• Covers various types of surface engineering, materials used for this purpose, and adopted techniques
• Provides comprehensive coverage on the latest advances in processing and fabrication techniques
• Includes advanced applications in the biomedical, structural, transport, energy, electrical, thermal, environmental, and water treatment sectors

Prof Patricia Popoola is a Full Professor at the Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, at the Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa. She is an NRF rated researcher (C3-category) with research focus in Advanced Engineering Materials. She is an author/co-author of more than 400 Journal articles (in high-impact Journals and Conference Proceedings) and more than 30 book chapters. Currently, she has produced thirty Masters' and fifteen Doctoral degree graduates. Prof Popoola and her students are recipients of numerous academic excellence awards

Dr. UO Uyor Obtained BEng (2014) in the departmental of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. He lectured in the same department and institution between 2015 to 2017. He joined Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa, where he obtained MEng (2019) and DEng (2022) in the Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. His research interest includes synthesis and characterization of polymer nanocomposites: electrical, dielectric, energy storage, mechanical, thermal, thermo-mechanical properties, and other related polymer physics subject areas. He has co-authored several peer-review research articles, review articles, modelling and simulation articles on the above-mentioned research areas.

Prof Olawale Popoola is an Engineer/technologist/lecturer/author with diverse experience in Electrical and Power Industry, Oil and Gas Sector, Shipping Building Industry, Education and Quality Management field. His research interest includes Energy Management, Energy and Behaviour, Renewable and Sustainable Energy, Quality Management, Power electronics application in Power Systems, New Materials as well as Laser Applications. Prof Popoola has received awards, support funding and accolades for his knack and drives for research interest that contributes to sustainable energy/society. He is a Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP) with a proven record and extensive knowledge of the energy industry.

Dr. CO Ujah obtained his BEng and MEng degree (Design and Production) in Mechanical Engineering, University of Nigeria Nsukka and Doctor of Metallurgical Engineering from Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa. He is a certified member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). An author & co-author of numerous scientific publications as well as a reviewer for different journals. His research interest includes powder metallurgy and nanotechnology, additive/advanced manufacturing including laser cladding and spark plasma sintering.