Polymers, Colloids, and Surface Chemistry: Polymerization, Suspensions, Emulsions, and Adsorption Fundamentals (De Gruyter Textbook)

Polymers, colloids, and surface chemistry are interconnected areas that play significant roles in the development and functionality of various products and technologies. The book helps to address issues related to material performance, stability and interactions. It begins with an introduction to polymers, covering their history, classification, nomenclature, molecular weight, and industrial significance. The chemistry of polymerization is then discussed in detail, including the mechanisms and kinetics of free radical, cationic, anionic, step-growth, and coordination polymerization, along with industrial techniques. The book also delves into polymer solutions, emphasizing thermodynamics, solubility, phase behavior, and applications in industries such as plastics, coatings, and biomedical fields. Moving to colloid chemistry, it explores colloidal systems, their comparison with true solutions and suspensions, types, preparation methods, and industrial relevance. The properties of colloids, including optical, kinetic, and electrical properties such as the Tyndall effect, Brownian motion, and electrophoresis, are discussed alongside suspensions, emulsions, and their practical applications. The surface chemistry of colloids is examined through interfacial phenomena, surface potential, Langmuir-Blodgett films, electrical aspects, and colloidal stability. Furthermore, the applications of colloids in petroleum, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, water purification, and environmental science are highlighted, demonstrating their interdisciplinary significance. The book concludes with an in-depth study of surface chemistry, focusing on adsorption phenomena, types of adsorption, adsorption isotherms, and industrial applications in catalysis, chromatography, pollution control, and biological systems. With a structured approach, real-world examples, and a focus on industrial and scientific relevance, this book serves as a valuable resource for students aiming to master the fundamental and applied aspects of polymers, colloids, and surface chemistry.  

Shramila Yadav is working as Associate professor at Rajdhani College (DU) Department of Chemistry and has been teaching students of undergraduate level of various courses: B.Sc. (H) Chemistry, B.Sc. (Physical Science), B.Sc. (Applied Physical Science) for more than 15 years. Her area of specialization is Physical Chemistry and she has done a Ph.D. in the field of Corrosion Chemistry. Her research interest includes Electrochemistry, Surface Chemistry and Nanomaterials. She has published research articles in different international peer reviewed journals with good impact factors. She has contributed two chapters in an edited book – Analytical methods in Chemical Analysis, published by De Gruyter. Also, wrote a chapter “Role of organometallic compounds in neglected tropical disease” in a handbook of Recent Advances in Organometallic Chemistry published by Elsevier.

Meenakshi Gupta has been working as an Associate Professor in the chemistry department of ARSD College (DU) for the last 15 years. She has been teaching undergraduate students of various courses, including a B.Sc. (H) Chemistry, B.Sc. (Physical Science), B.Sc. (Applied Physical Science). She completed her Graduation, Post-Graduation & Ph.D. studies at Delhi University. She is a gold medallist in Graduation & Post-Graduation. Her area of specialisation is physical chemistry. She did  Ph.D. in the field of Corrosion Chemistry. Her area of research is Surface chemistry, Electrochemistry, and Computational Chemistry. She did many projects funded by DBT, Govt. of India with undergraduate students. Her scholarly contributions include the publication of research articles in reputed international peer-reviewed journals with good impact factors. Additionally, She also contributed two chapters to the edited book Analytical Methods in Chemical Analysis, published by De Gruyter.