Providing a vital link between nanotechnology and conductive polymers, this book covers advances in topics of this interdisciplinary area. In each chapter, there is a discussion of current research issues while reviewing the background of the topic. The selection of topics and contributors from around the globe make this text an outstanding resource for researchers involved in the field of nanomaterials or polymer materials design. The book is divided into three sections: From Conductive P...

Lithium-ion batteries are an established technology with recent large-scale batteries finding emerging markets for electric vehicles and household energy storage. Battery research during the past two decades has focussed on practical improvements to available batteries, such as cell design to enhance energy density, which are currently nearing their maximum potential. We must now consider alternative avenues of research in pursuit of a new breakthrough in this technology. This book collect...

Ionic liquids are attractive because they offer versatility in the design of organic salts. As ion-rich media, ionic liquids can control the systems properties by tuning the size, charge, and shape of the composing ions. Whilst the focus has mainly been on the potential applications of ionic liquids as solvents, they also provide innovative opportunities for designing new systems and devices. Limitations from the high viscosity and expensive purification of the ionic liquids are also not a...

The applications of ionic liquids can be enormously expanded by arranging the organic ions in the form of a polymer architecture. Polymerized ionic liquids (PILs), also known as poly(ionic liquid)s or polymeric ionic liquids, provide almost all features of ionic polymers plus a rare versatility in design. The mechanical properties of the solid or solid-like polymers can also be controlled by external stimuli, the basis for designing smart materials.Known for over four decades, PILs...

The ideal addition to the companion volume on fundamentals, methodologies, and applications, this second volume combines fundamental information with an overview of the role of ceramic membranes, electrodes and interfaces in this important, interdisciplinary and rapidly developing field.Written primarily for specialists working in solid state electrochemistry, this first comprehensive handbook on the topic focuses on the most important developments over the last decade, as well as t...

With the daunting energy challenges faced by Mankind in the 21st century, revolutionary new technologies will be the key to a clean, secure and sustainable energy future. Nanostructures often have surprising and very useful capabilities and are thus paving the way for new methodologies in almost every kind of industry.This exceptional monograph provides an overview of the subject, and presents the current state of the art with regard to different aspects of sustainable production, ...

An overview of the tremendous potential of organic electronics, concentrating on those emerging topics and technologies that will form the focus of research over the next five to ten years. The young and energetic team of editors with an excellent research track record has brought together internationally renowned authors to review up-and-coming topics, some for the first time, such as organic spintronics, iontronics, light emitting transistors, organic sensors and advanced structural anal...

Bridging soft matter physics, materials science and engineering, polymer-modified liquid crystals are an exciting class of materials. They represent a vibrant field of research, promising advances in display technologies, as well as non-display uses.Describing all aspects of polymer-dispersed and polymer-stabilized liquid crystals, the broad coverage of this book makes it a must-have resource for anyone working in the area. The reader will find expert accounts covering basic concep...

This comprehensive three-volume handbook brings together a review of the current state together with the latest developments in sol-gel technology to put forward new ideas.The first volume, dedicated to synthesis and shaping, gives an in-depth overview of the wet-chemical processes that constitute the core of the sol-gel method and presents the various pathways for the successful synthesis of inorganic and hybrid organic-inorganic materials, bio- and bio-inspired materials, powders,...

In an age of global industrialisation and population growth, the area of energy is one that is very much in the public consciousness. Fundamental scientific research is recognised as being crucial to delivering solutions to these issues, particularly to yield novel means of providing efficient, ideally recyclable, ways of converting, transporting and delivering energy.This volume considers a selection of the state-of-the-art materials that are being designed to meet some of the ene...

Carbon-Based Polymer Nanocomposites for Environmental and Energy Applications provides the fundamental physico-chemical characterizations of recently explored carbon-based polymer nanocomposites, such as carbon nanotubes, graphene and its derivatives, nanodiamond, fullerenes and other nano-sized carbon allotropes. The book also covers the applications of carbon-based polymer nanocomposite in the environmental and energy fields. Topics range from the various approaches that have been explor...

This book introduces anisotropic innovations in liquid crystalline polymers as well as new nanocomposite materials and testing techniques. The authors detail the newest discoveries of material properties, material types and phases, and material characterization. This interdisciplinary work creates valuable links that strengthen the approach to the evolving field of liquid crystalline polymers/ materials.